​By mid-winter, I long for the colors of spring, so I start my garden planning and organizing while we're still buried under snow and ice, eagerly awaiting my first opportunity to sow.
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  For me, outdoor sowing for the new gardening year begins on the first day of spring. The ceremony of sowing peas is my official "It's spring" ritual. I soak my pea seeds overnight in a cup of tap water to speed sprouting (although, this isn't really necessary). Then, I love taking the round, plump seeds and snuggling them into a blanket of soil and compost. I know that within a couple weeks, the seedlings' bright green foliage will push through the ground, and I can enjoy an early harvest of pea shoots!