TAKE YOUR TIME TO CELEBRATE SPRING – WITH TOM PATTINSON

Although certain restrictions continue, we are better placed for access to garden plants and sundries now than that of last year.

Click and collect allows us to order items from a local source, turn up and take them away.

Garden centres and some related nearby outlets remain open for those prepared to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Those with a greenhouse facility heated or otherwise, can buy a range of young plug plants, safe in the knowledge that they have a suitable place to grow them on, away from late frosts.

I have several trays of seedlings and young potted plants making steady progress in the unheated greenhouse.

There is a lightweight fleece to hand that can easily be draped over them if necessary.

One month ago, I dug some spring flowering polyanthus and primulas from the garden where they overwinter.

They were planted into pots and placed on the greenhouse staging.

This weekend, some will go into an outdoor bed, others are destined for containers.

All we need now is a hint of sunshine to make allotments and gardens spring into life and activity.

There is digging to be done, first early potatoes to plant, peas, beans, salad crops to sow, sticks of rhubarb to pick and winter greens to harvest.

But it’s also important not to overdo the physical element.

Take time out to visit local gardens open to the public and walk in the countryside.

Imbibe the fragrances, colours and new growth.

Plants are celebrating spring too!