A Project to Lift the Mid-Winter Blues

Another grey January day; indistinguishable from the rest. No blue sky to be viewed nor greenery to be reveled in for miles around. My disposition as of late has matched the atmosphere, landing me somewhere in the realm of Oscar the grouch and Eeyore. January usually starts off with a bang but always seems to fizzle into a slog of monotony. Even the regular snow storms that have dusted my home in a magical blanket of shimmering diamond dust haven’t been able to pull me out of this funk. I’m blessed to live in the mountains, and so skiing is usually my winter activity of choice, but I’ve been lacking motivation these last few weeks to gear up and get outside. When I’d normally advocate for embracing winter through winter activities, I can’t seem to find the desire to be fully present. I’ve really just been craving a spot of sunshine or a lush forest walk - and those are two things that are nowhere to be found at the moment.

I recognize what’s been happening here - it’s the mid-winter blues. Or, perhaps seasonal depression, which is a very real thing and something to take seriously. Generally, I view winter as an invitation to slow down and be introspective. I welcome the season to hideaway, cozy up, and let life be quiet. It sure is a beautiful thing to give ones self permission to do nothing and rest like many of the other creatures in the natural world. But seasonal depression is a bit more than just being introspective and seasonally reclusive. For those that don’t typically suffer from depression, this grey season can seem overwhelmingly dark (both environmentally and emotionally), which throws us into a tailspin. And for those that do suffer from depression no matter the season, these dark months can be especially challenging. As someone who generally has a positive outlook, but also experiences chronic anxiety, I recognize that I haven’t been myself these last few weeks. While I can admit it to myself, I’ve felt too low to verbally admit that I feel especially fragile and on-edge to those in proximity to me. It somehow seems silly to apologize for my lethargy or a snarky remark, then follow up by explaining that I’m experiencing seasonal depression and am asking for forgiveness plus a generous dose of compassion. It seems silly because seasonal depression doesn’t seem as serious or as valid as “regular” depression. But, if there’s one thing that my high-sensitivity and anxiety management practices have taught me, it’s that what we experience is valid (regardless if it’s acute or chronic), and that it is okay to feel down sometimes. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and our needs are no less important. What we feel doesn’t mean that something is inherently wrong with us. And if you too have been feeling low during these mid-winter months, know that you are not alone and that this is only a temporary experience. The sun will shine again, my friend. If you feel concerned about your mental health, even if it is temporary because of the season, I recommend reaching out to those around you and seeking professional guidance. After I mustered up the strength to share my disposition with family, I felt a little bit of the burden dissipate. I am fortunate that my seasonal blues have been met with empathy and acceptance from those I love.

In an effort to put a little pep in my step, I decided to do a small project that might satiate my green thumb. And it’s true, I have learned that making a kokedama garden, while sipping on a cheery sunshine latte, is wonderful help for these mid-winter blues. Plus, a mood-lifting playlist while crafting only made this project that much better. I’m glad to admit that before long I found myself grooving to the music and wiggling out the grouch inside of me. While I’m not claiming a project like this is actually a cure for seasonal depression, I do think that it can significantly help those that are feeling a bit low because of the dark winter days. In fact, this is my new favorite way (and possibly one of very few ways) to actually garden in the middle of winter. And, I always find gardening to improve my mood and ease my anxiety, no matter if I’m doing it indoors during a snow storm, or outdoors on a sun-shiny day.

Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil, wrapped with string. They can be hung in windows for a touch of whimsy, or placed on tables in the home for a stately natural aesthetic. Regardless, a kokedama garden is an enchanting way to add greenery to the home - especially during sullen times. The best plants to use for this type of garden are ones with small root systems that tend to grow slowly, like bonsai, fern, bulbs, small flowers, succulents, and cacti. In my kokedama garden, I planted a fern, two paper-white bulbs, a hyacinth bulb, and one with poppy seeds (saved from last season's garden) that will grow a variety of brightly colored flower heads. Each of these plants will offer me ongoing delight as they mature through out the next few months. Below are my instructions for how to grow your own kokedama garden.

Materials

Plants of choice
Potting soil with slow release fertilizer
Water
Sphagnum sheet moss
Scissors
Small Hand Shovel
Bowl
Gardening string or clear fishing line

Instructions

Fill a large bowl with potting soil.
Add water in small increments until you moisten the soil just enough for it to stick together. Mix water and soil with a hand shovel so the soil starts to clump.
Form a large softball-size ball of the soil, squeezing out any excess water in the process.
Form a hole in the top of the soil ball large enough to put the plant roots into. If you are planting seeds, push one finger into the ball halfway down.
Fill the hole with seeds, or the plant roots.
Continue to shape the ball with your hands until it is round and secure around the plant. A firm, but delicate touch is necessary.
Wrap the sheet moss around the soil ball, covering all of the soil.
Wrap string around the ball to hold the moss in place.
Once all sides of the ball are secure, tie off the string and tuck the loose ends out of sight.
If you want your kokedama to hang in a window, fasten strings around the ball to hold it securely when it hangs.

Plant Care

Sun

The variety of plants you choose will determine your kokedama’s sun needs. When buying your plants, read the label to know if they do best in partial sun or full sun. Either way, placing your kokedama near a window or in a place that receives plenty of sun while indoors will be best for your plant. Even indoor plants placed in full sun are not technically receiving the full strength of the sun as if they were outdoors.

Watering

To water your kokedama, place the entire ball into a bowl of water until it feels heavy. Only water your plant if the ball feels light weight and dry. You only want to water your plant to a point where the soil is as wet as a wrung out sponge - not fully saturated.

Fertilizing

To fertilize your kokedama, put water soluble fertilizer in the bowl of water when it’s time to water the plant. It depends on the plant and the sun conditions where the plant is living, but fertilizing will likely only need to be done once every eight weeks.

Growth

You might be wondering what on earth to do when these cute little plants become cuter, but not-so-little, plants. The beautiful thing about using strictly natural materials like this is that you can expand the moss covered ball as needed. When the plant’s root system has outgrown the initial ball size, then snip the string off the moss. The ball should stay mostly intact because the plants root system will be holding it in place. Then, compost the moss and add another layer or two of fresh soil around the ball, forming an even larger ball. Wrap it once again with fresh moss and string. Voila! A larger kokedama, with no pots to mess with.

Oh, and if you are wondering about that delicious golden elixir of mine? I don’t do exact measurements these days, but it’s something along the lines of a teaspoon of turmeric, a 1/4 inch of ginger, a dash of black pepper, a little bit of cardamom and nutmeg, a dash of cinnamon, a drizzle of honey, and a dab of coconut oil, mixed with stove-heated oat milk. Delightful. To lighten your mood while you do this project, download my Mid-Winter Pick-Me-Up Spotify playlist. It’s an eclectic ensemble of up-beat and soulful classics that really help brighten our days.

Do you experience seasonal blues? What do you do to enhance your disposition during mid-winter?

How to Make a Kokedama Garden