Connie Smith, Special to the Eagle-Gazette
Cincinnati Zoo Little blue penguins excited for warm weather video
Watch a parade of little blue penguins march outside for a beach day at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.
It seems like it has been a very long, hard winter that just does not seem to stop. We can’t wait for those warm sunny days of spring ahead. Are you making plans for spring gardening projects? Think about something as simple as planning a healing garden. Planning a healing garden is an easy, uplifting way to welcome spring, especially if you’re craving calm, comfort, and sensory richness.
Healing gardens rely on intentional plant choices and a simple, soothing design to support emotional, physical, and mental well-being, helping us unwind and reconnect with nature.
Start with soothing scents – Fragrance sets the tone for a relaxing outdoor space. Aromatic plants can reduce stress, promote calm, and make a garden instantly welcoming. Check out scented plants that will fit well into the sensory-centered principles of healing garden design:
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)Basil/Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Think about adding plants that invite touch. Texture encourages you to slow down and engage with your surroundings. Mixing soft, smooth, and feathery foliage creates a comforting, immersive experience. A range of textures strengthens the garden’s grounding, restorative feel. Consider Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina): Velvety leaves offer soothing tactile feedback. Sedums (Sedum spp.): Smooth, fleshy foliage contrasts beautifully with soft textures. Ferns: Airy fronds add light movement and coolness.
Choose plants that bring movement and sound. Native grasses, including little bluestem, add soothing swishing sounds to create a mediative atmosphere.
The sound of rustling leaves or swaying grasses can be deeply calming. Plants that move naturally in the breeze help create a peaceful, meditative atmosphere and add depth to the garden’s sensory experience.
Be sure to incorporate calming color and harmony. A soothing color palette helps tie the space together. Soft blues, purples, and pastels work especially well. Repeating colors builds visual calm and cohesion: Catmint (Nepeta spp.): Lavender-blue blooms in soft drifts. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Purple and pink tones attract pollinators. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Blue-violet plumes with graceful movement. Pastel Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Peach, pink, and yellow clusters.
As you sort through seed catalogs, consider choosing varieties that bring scent, sound, texture, and color into your space. A healing garden doesn’t need to be large, just intentional. It may be the grounding project your mind and spirit need as spring approaches.
Source: University of Minnesota Gardening News
It is time for 4-H Day!!
Are you interested in learning more about Fairfield County 4-H? Are you a current member who would like to learn more about opportunities within the 4-H program? Join us for our annual open house and kick-off event from 1 to 3 p.m. March 7, in the AAA building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
Volunteers will be available to answer questions about clubs, projects, and activities available within the 4-H program, as well as help you find a club that fits your family.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Fairfield Co. 4-H Advisory Committee’s spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be from noon to 4 p.m. March 7, at the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building, Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Avenue.
The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children (Ages 5-14). To-go dinners are available.
The Advisory Committee supports the local 4-H program through the following: 4-H Camp, including staff and counselor fees, sponsoring youth participation in state and national trips, sponsoring youth participation in leadership opportunities 4-H programming, including 4-H Day Open House, Achievement Banquet, and judge fees
Wednesday Wellness Series
Join our OSU Extension Live Healthy Live Well Team in March of 2026 for a series of four Wellness Webinars that will focus on the Power of Connections in our work and personal lives. The webinars will be offered on Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 from Noon to 12:30 p.m. over Zoom. No cost to participate, but registration is required. Register at go.osu.edu/lhlwwebinars. All registered participants will receive a recording link and access to additional educational materials after each class.
Private Pesticide Recertifcation Class
Your final opportunity for pesticide recertification in Fairfield County is from 5 to 6 p.m. on March 12. Fertilizer re-certification cost is $10.
Pesticide recertification is from 6 to 9 p.m. on March 12. The cost is $25.
Please bring your current card with you to the training. For more information or to register online, go to: http://go.osu.edu/PestFert
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