Welcome to another gardening year. Hurrah!
We had snow in January. Lots. But that was January. Now it’s February, and there are signs of spring popping up all over the garden. The temperatures are still what you’d expect for a properly calibrated freezer, but that aside, there’s no denying that spring is just around the corner … or the corner after that one. I noticed yesterday that it’s still light outside at 4:30pm, so things are looking up. Bye-bye winter blues – Hello spring sunshine! Well, I can be hopeful, right?
Here’s the visual proof!
Wow! The chives have appeared from the depths of winter-soggy soil. They’re a bit skinny but some warmth and sunshine will perk them up.
The heather is in full bloom but, gosh, the lawn is sickly. Far too much rain and soggy soil for its liking. It just rains and rains and rains.
Naturalised daffodils are making an appearance below the grapevines. These bulbs are about ten years ago, and they mostly come up blind (no flowers) now. Maybe this year we’ll replace them.
And these daffodils are just humming with life and a wish to bloom! They’re planted in boxes in front of the greenhouse.
Pretty as a picture, the primroses are blooming throughout the garden. Pink, yellow and white varieties. I see that the snails are chomping on the leaves a bit. Well, heck, even snails need to eat! Bon appetit little guys; enjoy it while you can because soon I’ll be pitching you over the fence and out of my garden!
So what’s happening in your garden this week? I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to leave a comment! Are you planning a veg garden this year?
The Chalk Hills Kitchen 
…snail soup…
These are too large. Their shells are about the size of a golf ball. Maybe I should open a driving range, and people could pay to tee-off snails.
Isn’t it so lovely to see the garden coming out after winter dolrums ; D
I’ll start chanting ‘lovely’ when the temp rises a bit more, Lizzy! 😀 It’s below freezing again, and snow on way Sunday and Monday. Grrrrr.
I’ve just come across your blog and my chives up here in the Outer Hebrides are at the same stage as yours! Oh, and snails are about the only garden pest I don’t have, but if I had them, I would eat them 🙂 Tracey
Hi, Tracey, and welcome! I think the drenching rain and cold temps killed off my Corsican mint. Pity because I loved it as tea. All the other herbs look okay (sage, rosemary, thyme and oregano). I’m looking forward to seeing your blog – on my way now!
Look forward to reading more! Planning on some raised veg beds this year (we have as small back garden) so will need to get a move on.
We usually start seedlings in the greenhouse but this year everything is topsy-turvy. The builders arrive on Wednesday, knocking out the back of the house, wood floors, new kitchen … 6 weeks of trauma and nowhere to cook. I might spend 6 weeks writing about packaged meals! Does that sound interesting? 🙂
Ha! You could review microwave meals! Seriously, I know how it feels, we had similar works a year and a half ago and we were living without a kitchen for 8 weeks. All worth it now though, its like a new home. Good luck!
Thank you for the kind wishes, Phil. I was actually thinking it might be fun to review microwave meals. We never buy them, I never buy pre-prepared food. I cook everything from scratch and fresh whenever possible. I might learn how to use my microwave finally!
You’re welcome. Keep us posted on the reviews!
Look at all those lovely bulb flowers, (I quite like the term ‘blind’ flower, it conjures up images of greyness, and melancholy. Poor little things without a flower.)
Spring is just around the corner for you Misky.
Snow expected on Sunday. (growling…. )
The Old Codger said to me on Tuesday, ‘well I have decided that I like summer better’.. so spring better be just around the corner! I am about done too! c
I hope you keep us up-to-date on how Dale is doing. Winter is tough on the elderly.
Misky, if it is nearly spring your way, it is nearly autumn for me. Yippee!! I hate summer!!! I can’t wait ’til we get some rain and things begin to look green again. It is going to be 41 here tomorrow:(
That’s too hot, Glenda. Just plain old too hot!!!