The first week of March has brought some sunny days but old and frosty nights so caution is needed in the garden. The soil is not yet warm enough to sow any seeds. But still there is plenty to do.

Firstly, a good clear out and cleaning for the greenhouse in preparation for trays of vegetable seeds and a summer filled with tomatoes and chillis. Then making a start on cleaning the paths and patios.

Daffodils and hellebores are in bloom and the blossom on the beech tree is also starting to bloom.

The leaves around the hellebores need removing at this time of year to reduce the risk of unwanted pests and increasing sunlight to the flower stems.

This is a time to start weeding as with the warmer temperatures the weeds are emerging. My main problem is ground elder. So a good afternoon weeding around the Acer was needed.

Meanwhile every windowsill is being utilised for flower and vegetable seeds and potatoes chitting in the conservatory.

A cold but dry winter’s day is a great time to warm up in the garden with some tidying up and redesigning some parts of the garden.

My first project was revamping the old herb garden. Positioned in wrong part of the garden. Far too shady and damp for a herb garden. Leaving the rhubarb, lemon balm and a black current behind the rest was cleared. The plan is to create a garden bed similar to those I saw in a park in Arcachon last autumn.

So the structure needs to be established and seeds of the perennials sow in preparation.

Early seeds are started off on a sunny windowsill to be transplanted later when the las frosts have finished.

The vegetable patch needed weeding an surrounding paths clearing.

After last year’s bumper crop of tigerella tomatoes I am being more adventurous and growing Golden Sunrise, Red Cherry, San marzano 2 and more Tigerella. Similarly the early chilli seeds have been sown in coir growing pugs. Two varieties, Apache and Tabasco.

Despite the cold weather and recent storms there are signs of new growth throughout the garden.

A little visitor

In the depths of winter when the days are short, little sunshine and frosty temperatures there are still signs of new life emerging and the promise of spring.

Mahonia charity showing bright yellow tops add some welcome brightness to the hedgerow

The last few berries on the holly

A little colour from the phormium jester, hellebore and by the plant pot a shoot of rhubarb is emerging

And the new season buds of the established hellebores

And guarding the patio is chief mouser Salem

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This blog exhibits the excitement of creating and maintaining a small semi rural garden. Slightly overgrown and neglected in places. Throughout the year the garden evolves reflecting nature’s challenges.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

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