A WEEK IN MY GARDEN 28 FEBRUARY

Spring is here and when it isn't tipping it down with rain (which it seems to be every other day) it is a joy to be in the garden.  The temperatures are slowly rising and my fingers are no longer going numb when I'm weeding - which is nice.  The birdies are singing and thanks to the Merlin app I am starting to learn what is what.  The tits as a family seem to have a repetitive squeak; robins are very musical, and song thrushes sing lots of different tunes.

The Woodland Garden

Under the Oak Tree

The snowdrops are out en mass.  I wish I could take more credit for this display but I really can't.  They just do their own thing, and rather lovely it is too.

This week the crocus have started to open.  The ones pictured are all in the Rose Garden sprinkled among the roses.  A handful of white and purple large flowered types were here when we moved in and I have added to them.  Even a few are sufficient to provide interest when the garden is otherwise bare.

Crocus Pickwick is a particular favourite

Crocus Joan of Arc

Crocus Grand Maitre

Note to self - Add a few more next year

The first of the daffodils began flowering last week.  It is Narcissus pseudonarcissus in the orchard.  There are still plenty of buds yet to open.  I tried crocus here as well, but they haven't established.

In the Rose garden I have finished the main tidying up and cutting back and not before time as the more fancy daffodils are quite well developed and it won't be long before they flower.

 

It's not just the birds that know it is Spring, I sowed my tomato seeds last week and they got going straight away. It seems much faster than usual. Fresh seed may have helped, or perhaps it was the right phase of the moon?  My kids used to go to a Steiner Waldorf school, and there was much made of completing garden tasks during the most appropriate moon phase, but it is not something I have ever studied myself.  I'd be interested to hear whether you have ever tried it?

A couple of other plants that are looking very fresh and green are this Euphorbia. The lime heads look good for ages too.

Another plant that gets underway very early in the year is the Day Lily.  Lots of fresh lime green shoots  - in fact a few too many.  I could do with digging out some of this clump but it's really hard work!

 Maybe that job will get done next week.  It looks like the rain is taking a break, so I should be able to get some of the perennials lifted and divided, a few more seeds sown and I've some serious shrub pruning to tackle.  

I hope you have a good weeks gardening and see you next time.