It’s good to welcome in a bit more colour Sandra Manning
What a delight it is to welcome the colours and fragrances of spring bulbs. Hyacinths are better than any air freshener, their heady perfume
wafts through the house. I’ve begun sowing some flower seeds under cover indoors – Verbena bonariensis, aubrieta, diascia and echinacea, plus
some flat-leaved parsley to keep me in constant supply. Although temperatures are creeping up, I know that the risk of frost has not yet passed, so the vegetable seeds can wait a little longer.
Pots of purple and yellow crocuses and purple Iris reticulata provide a much-needed splash of colour. I’ve been tidying the edges of the garden path, especially where the blackbird has been rummaging around – they make a real mess in their quest for worms. Hellebores are at their best now and if planted in a slightly elevated position, you can appreciate some of the wonderful colours inside their nodding flowers.
I’ve given the pyracantha a good trim before it becomes too unruly
and cleared up leaves and twigs from the borders to fully appreciate the daffodils and narcissus. I’ve left out some twigs to aid birds who are beginning to build their nests.
On the allotment, the main job is tackling the weeds before they take over – I now have a good clear area ready for potato planting next month. A very grateful robin feasted on the worms I was uncovering as I weeded and, in turn,
I was rewarded with some very sweet birdsong and managed to take a few photos, too.
I’m now musing what to plant in this summer’s hanging baskets and windowboxes – the possibilities are endless!