Mallard Lodge

Spring is here... I think.

We've had a few days where you'd think spring has sprung, and then mornings with heavy frost appear out of nowhere. It's only just turned March so it's least to be expected.

I only have one day a week now to work on the grounds, which is probably a little amount for most gardens, let alone one this size. But nevertheless, I use the time wisely. The Sunday just past, I heeled in over 30 bare rooted trees and flowering shrubs (into pots) and cleaned the inside lower panes of the greenhouse. Back breaking work but needed to be done. The greenhouse is covered in the usual green slimy algae that comes with winter. Cleaning it off - as well as giving my crops more light, gives me a sense that I'm clearing away winter and getting ready for the new year... The new growing year that is. I just used a hand held squeegee and and spray bottle of water and it did the job. As for the trees, we now have a good selection of deciduous, and three spruce saplings, which will be planted out when the soil gets a little warmer.

In other spring-ish news, last week snowdrops, crocuses and one primula (in our roundabout) have flowered. Granted, only these have only happened in the most sheltered of spots, but at least its something. Daffodils and surprisingly a few tulips have started to sprout too. Heard on the radio last week that because it was a particularly cold winter, all early spring flowers are going to bloom at once this year making it the most colourful spring in 30 years. Lets hope so.

As for the greenhouse, the first veg to germinate was the broccoli (last Saturday) with the cauliflower and radishes a close second - first noticing their sprouting on Monday morning, the day I surprised my Mother-in-Law by actually sweeping the greenhouse.

Jobs to be done this week is to clear the dyke of rubbish and cut back the pampass grass - the 20ft giant that will go rotten in the middle if not cut back every year or so. The ones down the street have been cut back and are already starting to grow again so it won't be long before it's back to it's majesty and splendour as on of the major focal points at the east of the garden.

In other - non grounds related news, work is being done on the annexe to include a kitchen, French doors to the north and new master bedroom with en suite. This should be completed in about a month. The exterior work has just been complete.