Marching On

One of the best ways to notice how things are changing is to go away for a week or so ... and so it was that I returned from Jordan where I had seen almond trees in blossom to a UK that was also positively blooming!

It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder - well, some time out of Britain and I returned to it just loving spring time and the awakening it brings.  The predominant colour is of course the bright yellow of the daffodils that positively spill out of the verges and public parks as well of course as private gardens.   From pale pastels to powerful golds, yellow is King a this time of year. 

It's funny in a way - yellow is the colour that springs up (no pun intended - honest!) as the colour least wanted in garden planting plans.  If ever there is a colour people do not want in their borders, that is it... although often daffodils are not considered part of this colour exclusion zone thank goodness! And hence the colour theme for my Mothers Day celebration, a card made with a stamp I received on Valentines day

Talking of the allotment, above are some snaps of what else it is currently producing. The first picture is of my sweet peas that I planted in January, followed by my purple sprouting broccoli and then rhubarb. It is of course very nearly 'all systems go' down there, the time when you look in all your reference books and it practically says plant your first sowing of most everything now... so I have really got to get going.

However - please please please be careful! It is so easy to get carried away and to plant the most inappropriate plants out now just because the sun is shining. Nature has a way of doing the unexpected and late frosts can really 'knock back' at best or kill at worst plants - so always check labels or instructions and make sure they are called 'Fully hardy' plants if putting anything out in the open now without a cloche or some form of coverage.

In your own garden now it is time to bulk up on your snowdrops.  If you felt you missed out in January then now is the time to do something about it.  Snowdrop bulbs planted in the autumn often fail because they have become too dehydrated, so planting them as green plants now - called literally  'in the green' gives you a much better chance of success and are available from a wide variety of nurseries.

From the small to the often very tall.  Trees often get passed over in comment... probably because not many people have gardens large enough for that many trees - or if they do have trees they are small ornamental trees or fruit trees.  But what about whoppers?  Those of you that suffer from hayfever will be all too aware of the pollen that many trees produce, but how many of us look at the catkins and seed producing bodies that trees have?  From some that look like giant hairy caterpillars to paper delicate catkins I urge you to go for a walk and just look upwards and see what there is to be seen - fascinating!

And finally - a mention of my favourite nursery. Sorry for those of you that do not live in London, but here is a nursery that combines wonderful planting ideas with gifts and food as well.  Diners perch on vintage garden chairs in the airy shelter of rambling glasshouses festooned with sweet smelling climbers with grit under foot and crisp white linen on the tables.  To me, it is the perfect nursery and there is great news for those of you that do not live nearby since the resident cook has written a book of her wonderful recipes.  Last year I followed the Nigel Slater 'The Kitchen Diaries' cook book - this year it is Skye Gyngells imaginative 'A Year in my Kitchen'.  It is inspired by using fresh ingredients at their seasonal best.  Right now the greenhouse are smelling of oranges blossom - just close your eyes and picture it...

Emmeline Johnston  The Garden Bird From planning to planting
Chelsea Gold medal winner and 'Best in Show' Chic Garden at Chelsea

Comments

[Leela]

I hate to tell you that I spent all sunday at the Petersham Nurseries for my mum's birthday yesterday.. Oh the food! the lunch was spectacular as usual... The greenhouse is smelling amazing and the cafe has expanded to the 2nd greenhouse.. when you come back we'll go there to do the photos!