As winter begins to take its bow and give the spotlight to spring, you may have noticed the world around you turning green. This is one of my favorite times of the year, and I'm sure that after the seemingly never-ending winter, many can relate! So, while you exchange your snowblower for gardening tools, here are a few awesome pointers to pay tribute to the long-awaited greenery!

1. Plants are important- we need them to breathe!

I'm sure many of you, like me, dozed off in your science class- but one very important (and awesome) science fact to remember is that plants literally help keep us alive (and I'm not just talking about Groot, my favorite Guardian of the Galaxy!) As plants take in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, they release oxygen into the atmosphere. That's right- much of the oxygen that we use to breathe comes from our little plant friends. And to think, we didn't even have to ask!

2. Anyone can have a green thumb with a little bit of patience!

If you've ever tried to grow a plant, you may have heard that plants just need a little bit of love and patience (and perhaps some jazz) to grow. And if that doesn't work, there's good news- it turns out gardeners just need a little bit of patience to grow, too! If your plant friend is looking a little sad, don't give up just yet! With some dedication and research, you may be able to nurse your plant back to health. The most important thing is to keep trying and watching those tutorials!

3. There are plant-y of things you can do with plants!

We already know that plants help give us the air we breathe, but what else are they good for? Aside from looking pretty and serving as a last-minute gift, it turns out there are a ton of ways that plants are useful! If you (or someone you know) are a vegetarian, you probably already know that a lot of our diet depends on plants. From the super-food kale, to your favorite berries, plants provide us with the many nutrients that help keep us healthy. Plants can also be used for medicinal purposes, such as in various teas to help with anxiety, stress, insomnia, or even common colds!

4. Plants make good pets, too!

When you think of a pet, most people think of our fluffier companions, such as dogs, cats and bunnies. But if you're not quite up to the challenge of scooping a litter box or cleaning a cage, you might want to consider turning to a less-conventional options: plants! From succulents to gardens, plants can offer companionship and comfort just like any other pet. Whether you like to care for and tend to your plant or simply admire from afar, plants make for an often times easier and less-expensive pet. And though you may not be able to play fetch with your plant, you can say that your pet *literally* gives you life!

While it may seem silly to pay tribute to plants, they're actually a really awesome and important part of our planet. From giving us oxygen to providing us with food, you may find that plants make up a larger part of our day-to-day life than you think. So, with spring finally arriving, be sure to thank the plants around you- even the weeds!