This summer and Autumn I longed for winter to come and for the pace of our world and garden to slow. It seemed like time had be going super fast with kids and our business to attend to. The garden has now slipped into its quiet season, winter is inviting us to lean into rest—both in our gardens and in ourselves. While many think of winter as the off-season, it can actually be one of the most nourishing times to reconnect with nature, community and your own rhythms.
Winter Gardening: Rest Doesn’t Mean Doing Nothing
Even when the soil is cool and the days are short, there’s still much we can do outdoors. From pruning dormant trees and planning spring beds to spreading compost or collecting seed, winter offers quieter but meaningful garden tasks. There’s something deeply grounding about pulling on a pair of gloves and getting your hands into the winter air, even if only for half an hour. Those jobs we kept putting off in the busy summer and Autumn times we can plug away at making way for new energy in spring.
These small, intentional moments outside can shift our mood, regulate our nervous systems, and keep us rooted through the darker months.
Caring for Your Body & Skin After Time in the Cold
After time in the garden, though, our skin often tells the story—dry, cracked cuticles, tight skin from cold air and wind, and tired hands in need of repair.
This is exactly why I created our Gardeners Lotion Bar—a simple, solid bar made with beeswax from our own hives, organic shea butter, and a comforting blend of essential oils. It’s designed to melt gently into your skin, sealing in moisture and giving your hardworking hands the love they deserve after a day in the soil.
This bar was actually one of the first skincare items I ever made, and it still holds a special place in my heart (and toolkit!). It’s perfect for daily use—keep one by the sink, in your garden shed. It's also handy to travel with so if you work on others gardens it's a perfect addition to your pack.
Winter Wellness for the Mind & Spirit
Just like plants rest to bloom again, we too need time to pause and restore. The colder months can often stir up feelings of sluggishness or low mood, especially if you're someone who thrives in the sun-drenched growing season. In Tasmania our short days can often bring on seasonal depression due to lack of vitamin but winter can also be a opportunity to turn inward: to journal, read, dream about spring planting, start a new craft or simply be still.
Some of my favourite winter rituals include:
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Drinking warm herbal teas (I love infusing lemon balm, chamomile, and nettle)
- Baking delicious treats for my family , cooking up and pressure canning bone broths for times of illness.
- Crocheting or finishing that craft project from last winter.
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Massaging my hands with botanical oils before bed
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Sitting by the fire with seed catalogues and sketching garden plans
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Lighting a beeswax candle during dinner as a daily ritual of light and intention
The Seasons are Always Teaching Us
Winter reminds us that even in stillness, there is life. That pruning back allows for new growth. That rest is a form of productivity. And that our bodies and minds, just like the soil, benefit from gentle care and deep nourishment.
So whether you’re outside pruning fruit trees or inside tending to your skin and spirit, may this season be a slow and nourishing one for you.
With gratitude,
Anne