February 2nd 2020

Out in the garden this morning as the weather was dry and mild, and I needed the feel of mud on my hands. I was surrounded by birdsong and could hear the burble of the brook behind the house. The garden is burgeoning with life; wildflowers galore (weeds....) are holding the soil together until I am ready for sowing and planting. I discovered the rhubarb poking it's  crinkled leaf into the air, stem the colour rubies. I am glad that has survived, my 50p purchase from a roadside stall.

Flowers are appearing: dandelions, common daisies, Scabious, stocks, English Marigold, hairy bittercress, crocus. In the local area I have seen snowdrops, catkins, Daphne and bergenia.

Bulbs are growing in the pots in the mini greenhouse and I have sorted out all the packets of vegetable seeds I possess. I am not sure where I will show them all! The garlic planted on the solstice is thriving, and nearly six inches tall. The elephant garlic is poking up through the soil and will catch up soon. This will, I think, be a busy year in the garden.