Don’t be fooled

Don’t be fooled by Easter’s warm weather. My neighbour was. She planted out all sorts of tender flowers. Sadly, they have been hit by the colder temperatures and most of them have died. Here we have had late frosts. I try to stick with the old rule ‘ne’er cast a clout til May is out’. I’m usually itching to plant out at the beginning of April but I bide my time.

Garden centre are full of colourful annuals

Garden centres and nurseries might be full of colourful annuals. But they will still need protecting for a couple of weeks yet.

If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame you can put your more tender plants in there. My greenhouse is full of young seedlings. I have lupins, geraniums and dieramas. They are all growing nicely and I will plant them out soon. I have grown some lupins from seed

Glorious year for blossom

The garden is springing back into life. It has been a glorious year for blossom. The apples, cherries and plums have put on a magnificent display. It was a different tale for the magnolias though. They were hit by the frosts and their gorgeous blooms all turned brown.

Showy clematis

Clematis are putting on a good show. Amethyst Beauty lives up to its name. It has light purple flowers which often change to a deeper purple as they mature. It looks as if it is a multi-coloured flowering clematis which adds interest to the garden.

Clematis Armandi is one of my favourites. It is covered in highly scented creamy-white flowers. The bees love it too.

Another fragrant white flower is Phlox May Breeze. If you want a more colourful phlox try Chattahoochee. It has bright blue flowers with a red eye.

Preparation, preparation, preparation

I spent Easter getting my garden ready for planting. My vegetable patch had been invaded by moss. A sure sign that it is waterlogged and the soil is compacted. I’ve taken all the moss out by hand but this autumn I need to dig lots more compost into the patch. I might invest in some sand and grit to aid the drainage too. If you want good results you need to prepare properly.

We could do with some rain

It has been lovely out in the garden. Warm weather although the wind has been cold. But, we could do with some rain. We have had a very dry winter and spring.

First wild ducklings

For the first time in the 30 years I have been here a wild mallard successfully hatched eight ducklings on my pond. They were so cute. Unfortunately I wasn’t the only one to think so. Magpies decided they made a tasty snack. By day two we were down to five. By day three there was just one following Mum around. Now they have all gone. There is a chance she might lay a second clutch. I hope she does.

Gardening tips  Dead head spring bulbs once they have stopped flowering but do not cut back their leaves. Harden off tender plants. Water seedlings daily. Once the danger of frost is over transplant vegetables and flowers from the cold frame or greenhouse into their final spots in the garden.

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