A gentle guide to the first herbal tasks of the year

Even before the snow fully melts, there’s a shift, a subtle one, in both the light and in us. Days lengthen. Soil softens. And our hearts stir toward the green.

Late winter isn’t just waiting time, it’s a doorway. And for those who work with herbs, it’s time to begin again.

Here’s how to step gently into spring by beginning your herbal work now from seed-starting to tincturing to foraging what’s still available.

1. Seed the Future: Early Indoor Starts

Some of our favorite herbal allies need a head start before they can thrive in the garden. Now’s the perfect time to set up a sunny window and begin.

Start with:

• Chamomile
• Echinacea
• Holy basil (Tulsi)
• Calendula
• Yarrow

Use sturdy trays like these galvanized seed-starting trays for durability and charm:
🔗 Galvanized Seed Tray – Garrett Wade

As you tuck each seed in, say a quiet intention not just for what you’ll grow, but how you hope to grow this year, too.

2. Bottles and Brews: Tincture, Syrup, and Oxymel Prep

If you still have dried herbs from last season, now is a wonderful time to turn them into tinctures, infused honeys, or oxymels that will carry you through the year.

You’ll need:

• Amber apothecary bottles to protect the infusion from light
• Corked glass jars for old-world beauty and breathable fermentation
• A simple guide to herbal preparations

Shop supplies here:
🔗 Amber Apothecary Bottles – Etsy
🔗 Corked Glass Bottles – Specialty Bottle
🔗 Herbal Prep & Remedies Guide – Ancient Remedies

Need a place to start? Try a lemon balm tincture for calm, or a ginger-honey oxymel to aid digestion.

3. Forage What the Snow Reveals

Depending on your region, late-winter foraging can offer a few humble treasures. Look for:

• Pine needles for vitamin C-rich tea
• Cedar tips for a calming, clarifying infusion
• Burdock root or dandelion greens where the thaw has begun
• Rose hips, if they’re still clinging on from fall

Remember: foraging is a form of reverence. Take only what you’ll use, give thanks, and leave the rest for wildlife and wildness.

4. Welcome the Light with Intention

As the sun returns, so does our energy, but slowly, like sap rising. Let herbal work be part of your gentle reawakening. Let it:

• Ground your hands in something earthy
• Connect your heart to old rhythms
• Prepare your body for the season ahead

This isn’t just about tinctures or teas. It’s about making room for life again: one leaf, one seed, one breath at a time.

— Jenny