Spring Equinox & Holistic Gardening

Spring Equinox & Holistic Gardening: Preparing Nutrient-Dense Soil and Choosing Heirloom Seeds

The spring equinox on March 20th marks a moment of balance—equal day and night. It’s nature’s invitation to shake off the winter stillness and embrace the warmth of the growing season. As the days grow longer, I find myself dreaming of summer adventures—bike rides, horseback rides, and time with family and friends. But just as much, I look forward to one of my greatest joys: planting my garden.

Within just a few weeks, I’ll be cleaning out the greenhouse and sowing the first seeds of the season—hardy greens, beets, and carrots—nourishing my family with food grown right outside our door.

Gardening has been part of my life for over 20 years, and I’ve come to see it as an extension of holistic health—nourishing not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. It’s where I get to be creative, from planting to cooking, and most importantly, it allows me to grow nutrient-dense food for my family and friends. Though my garden isn’t certified organic, I follow organic principles, starting with the foundation of all life—healthy soil.

Just like tending to the gut microbiome strengthens our body’s foundation, nourishing the soil enriches the plants, supports pest control, and maintains moisture. Healthy soil means more nutrient-dense, gut-healthy food on our plates.

Here are my five essential tips for growing a thriving garden that cares for both the earth and your body:

1. Nourish the Soil with Compost and Kelp for a Holistic Garden Ecosystem

As the soil begins to warm, it’s time to feed the microbes. Adding compost and worm castings to garden beds introduces beneficial bacteria, fungi, and organic matter, while dried kelp supplies essential trace minerals. When the soil is well-fed, your plants will have a richer supply of nutrients to draw from—ultimately increasing the nutritional value of your food.

2. Choose Heirloom Seeds for Nutrient-Dense, Gut-Healthy Produce

Not all seeds are created equal. Many modern crops have been bred for shelf life, uniformity and consumer taste buds, often sacrificing their antioxidant content and nutrient density.

One of my favorite books, Eating on the Wild Side by Jo Robinson, explores the history of food cultivation and highlights heirloom varieties as a way to reclaim lost nutrition. By selecting heirloom seeds, you’re not only growing more flavorful produce, but you’re also preserving biodiversity and consuming vegetables closer to what nature intended.

3. Companion Planting: Let Go of the “Perfect Rows”

I used to be a Type A gardener—everything in straight, organized rows, never letting plants mix. That changed when I discovered Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden by Jessica Walliser.

Companion planting allows you to: Attract beneficial insects by pairing herbs and flowers with vegetables. Repel pests naturally by using plant combinations that deter bugs. Increase yield and water efficiency by planting compatible crops together.

Beyond the science, I was amazed by how beautiful and wild my garden became—bursts of color, buzzing pollinators, and a harmony of edible plants thriving together.

4. Plant in Phases: Start with Hardy Crops & Follow the Seasons

In Montana, outdoor planting doesn’t begin until late May. But in my greenhouse, I start in late March, followed by outdoor beds in mid-April. Staggering plantings every two weeks through early June allows for a continuous harvest.

Here’s my general planting timeline:

🌱 March-April: Hardy greens (kale, spinach), carrots, beets

🌿 Late April-May: Peas, radishes, onions

🍅 May-June: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash

By sowing in phases, I ensure a steady supply of fresh food throughout the season.

5. Let Your Garden & Kitchen Spark Creativity

A garden is more than just food—it’s an inspiration for the senses. I love experimenting with homegrown flavors:

🥗 Salads with a twist – Baby kale mixed with parsley, mint, and basil
🌿 Herbs beyond the garnish – Crisp-fried sage with sautéed zucchini
🌸 Edible bouquets – Dill, chamomile, and cosmos for a fragrant touch

The joy of gardening extends into the kitchen, where every meal becomes a celebration of fresh, nourishing ingredients.

Closing Thoughts: Soil is the Foundation of Holistic Health

Before I became a functional nutrition coach, my journey began with soil. I graduated from Montana State University in 1998 with a degree in agriculture and range management, later working as a soil conservationist trainee with the USDA. Those years deepened my understanding that healthy soil = healthy food = healthy people.

Soil is to plants what the gut microbiome is to our health. In both cases, diversity, nourishment, and balance create resilience. A thriving garden and a healthy gut are both essential pillars of holistic health. By embracing holistic gardening principles—rich, living soil, nutrient-dense heirloom crops, and seasonal planting—we’re not just growing food. We’re cultivating whole-body wellness, gut health, and a deeper connection to nature’s healing power.

Happy planting!

In health, Karen Mitchell, NBC-HWC, FNLP, Functional Nutrition Health Coach