By JASON GRAVES
K-State Research and Extension
Central District Horticulturist
The winter solstice is an important and yet complicated time of year. The shortest days and longest nights of winter affect us both physically and mentally as gardeners and as people in general. Yet, the darkness of the longest night of the year also marks the beginning of a season filled with new light and hope. This duality—of darkness giving way to light—makes the solstice a profound time for reflection and renewal.
This is a key message of the Christmas season: when it is darkest, something new is going to begin. It’s a reminder that even in challenging times, growth and transformation are possible.
Gardeners are familiar with starting seeds, and nowhere is this message clearer than in the process of watching a new seedling germinate out of the darkness of the soil. In fact, some garden seeds actually require the darkness in order to germinate.
Sunflowers
A good example of this is the state flower of Kansas, the sunflower. This beautiful summer flower, with its rich and historic symbolism, actually must begin its growth in the dark. The first step is the softening of a hard seed coat. This happens in the darkness of the soil, where the dry seed imbibes (drinks) water. This allows the seed to expand and activates enzymes and food supplies that are needed for the new growth to emerge.
The first thing to emerge from the softened seed is the root (also called the radicle). After this, the shoot will expand and emerge from the seed. Once the shoot breaks through the dark soil and into the light, dramatic changes occur. Perhaps one of the most remarkable transformations is how it turns green. This color change is part of a process called photomorphogenesis, and it allows the shoot to capture light energy and begin photosynthesis.
From Dark to Light
Without a time of darkness in the moist soil, the tough sunflower seed coat simply won’t soften to allow the new growth to begin. This time in the dark is the essential first step in reaching the light.
In many ways, I can relate. It often takes a period of ‘seed coat softening’ for me to grow as well. Times where challenges or pain make my world feel dark often end up being the very place where something new needs to begin. Pride can give way to a willingness to receive and to grow, just as the seed opens itself to the nourishment of the soil.
As gardeners, we have the privilege of witnessing this transformation in plants and reflecting on its deeper meaning. Every seed we plant holds a promise of renewal and a reminder that growth often starts in places of darkness. Whether it’s a sunflower, a tomato, or a patch of wildflowers, the process is the same: growth emerges not in spite of the dark, but because of it.
Planting as an Act of Hope
During the winter, when outdoor gardening is limited, why not embrace seed starting as an act of hope? Start some seeds indoors to watch the process unfold in real time. Reflect on the ways this process mirrors our own lives—how challenges and dark times soften our hard seed coats and prepare us for new beginnings.
Our K-State Garden Hour series offers wonderful recorded content on seed starting and planning for vegetable gardens to help you get started. Learn more here.
Then, next spring, consider planting sunflowers, which throughout history have been considered emblematic of the pursuit of light due to their ability to turn toward the sun as they grow. By the time their vibrant heads reach toward the summer sky, they will stand as a testament to the transformative power of moving from darkness into light.