March Seasonal Update: The Return of Full Sunlight and a Waking Garden

 

The Big News in March

  • The most exciting change this month is the return of longer days and full sunlight in Scotland

  • The garden is beginning to show signs of life again as spring arrives

  • Everything else gets a little more comfortable as temperatures rise


Food

While there are no major shifts in our diet from February, the garden is starting to wake up, offering the promise of fresh, homegrown produce soon.

What’s in the Garden?

  • Fruit trees, including apple, fig, pear, plum, and quince are beginning to leaf out, with early signs of flowering on the plums.

  • The red currant bush is also showing new leaves.

What’s in the Shops?

  • Not much has changed in store selections, but we are seeing more frequent availability of fish such as Atlantic Red Perch and John Dory.

  • Asparagus has reappeared, signaling the start of spring.

What Are We Eating?

  • Our meals remain largely consistent with last month


Microbiome

Spending more time in the garden is likely benefiting gut health by increasing exposure to beneficial microbes in the soil

 
 


Sunlight: The Biggest Change in March

The most noticeable seasonal shift is the increase in sunlight and the return of UVB rays, which enable vitamin D production in the skin.

  • The Spring Equinox on March 20th marked the balance of day and night across the Northern Hemisphere

  • Shortly after, UVB rays became strong enough around midday to allow for vitamin D synthesis in the skin

  • This is the perfect time to gradually reintroduce full-spectrum sunlight exposure. Here’s my approach:

    • Early-morning light: A 15-minute walk or time in the garden near sunrise to regulate the circadian rhythm

    • Midday UVB exposure:

      • Avoiding seed oils in my diet, which make the skin more prone to sunburn

      • Walking in shorts and a t-shirt as temperatures become more bearable

      • Sitting shirtless in the sun for about 30 minutes while reading a book

      • No sunscreen—using clothing or shade instead, if needed

    • Late-day sunlight: Similar to morning light, this helps regulate hormones and sleep patterns

The key is to gradually build up sun exposure, avoiding burns and allowing melanin production to increase naturally—akin to easing into an exercise routine after time off


Earth’s Natural Charge

With rising temperatures, barefoot grounding outdoors is becoming easier and more comfortable again


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