The gardener sits in the quiet courtyard, the familiar scent of earth in the air, and contemplates what to plant this year. With the last frost less than a month away, there’s still time to start from seeds, but the clock is ticking. Much work lies ahead. The ground, once carefully tended, is now overrun with weeds—an unfortunate result of neglect over the winter months.

As the gardener’s mind drifts to the vibrant blooms and lush vegetables to come, images of zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers fill the thoughts, alongside the promise of snap peas, potatoes, and cabbage. But before any of that, the soil must be prepared—broken, cleared, and nourished. The first steps are the hardest, but the work must begin now. There’s no time to waste if this year’s garden is to thrive.