Is Spring on the way?

At last, some milder weather. I have managed to get some well rotted manure on most of my allotment beds and have planted some peas and broad beans in the greenhouse. It is unheated but I manage to get seeds to germinate by using plastic covers on the seed trays. The sweet pea seeds I planted last December have all germinated and are growing well.

I am trying to tidy up the garden, removing dead leaves and cutting down some of the old foliage from my herbaceous plants that I didn't do last year. I have started spreading garden compost on the borders and have given the compost heaps another stir. At least all this activity keeps you warm (and fit).

The first snowdrops are starting to flower and the hellebores are also in bud so spring can't be too far away.

The winter garden

With all this very cold weather it has been very difficult to get any work done in the garden. The soil has been too frozen to work and I have spent a lot of time wrapping up my more delicate plants in fleece. It has however given me time to get the greenhouse in order, wash pots and order seeds for the new growing season.

The garden has looked quite beautiful with the frost on the trees and grasses. I'm glad I did not cut down all the seed heads and grasses. These acer leaves looked very attractive edged with frost.

Don't forget to feed the birds in this cold weather. They will reward you by eating all your insect pests come the summer.