Lawns form the heart of most gardens. Most lawns are made up from intricate mixes of grass varieties. But from a pollinator perspective lawns are a monoculture and although some grasses are larval plants for some moth species and grass does make pollen, grasses are wind-pollinated and not ideal food plants for most insects. However, the other plants that grow within a lawn, that you might detest, or class as weeds, are actually vital early spring food plants for our pollinator pals.

Hasn’t it been lovely to enjoy the longer days, especially when we wake up to blue sky and sunshine!  It’s easy to lose a few hours when we get into the garden, I always do! There’s nothing better to be either up early, ‘the crack of sparrows’ as my aunt says, or pop out for a stroll in the evening inhaling the beautiful fragrances. A fresh dewy morning or a warm evening with blossom and freshly cut grass, it’s so good for the soul! Whenever you spend time in your outdoor space, try and take time to pause, life is too busy and it is so easy to not take time for yourself.

We are well and truly into spring, what a gorgeous time of year. I can’t believe Summer will officially start next month! From mid-May those pesky frosts will have passed so we can relax a little. Do keep an eye on the weather forecast though, in case we get a late frost. Be ready with some newspaper or horticultural fleece. It can be soul destroying to find you have been caught out, seeing all the hard work and love you have put into growing your plants end up on the compost heap!

Welcome to Spring! Looking at the forecast for the month ahead, we may well be in for a heatwave! We were treated to some beautiful warm weather in March, then back to the usual typical weather we are used to, digging out our winter coats once again! So, fingers crossed!!

Choices, choices, there are so many options! What might you like in your salad this summer? What veggies would you like on your plate? Maybe something to add to a smoothie, juice or could it be something to freeze for the winter? With the cost of living going up growing your own is something many of us may consider. Whatever the reasons you want to grow, it should be fun! Get children involved, we all know how much tastier home grown is!

When I was writing last month’s blog, I had hoped we could all get out into our gardens again and start our hands-on gardening year. What a time we have had with the weather! There will be extra jobs to be taken care of now, such as repairing or replacing fences, glazing in the greenhouse may need replacing; you may have needed a tree surgeon too. Devastating for some with the damage caused and the flooding in some areas. Let’s hope March brings a better more settled month. As the weeks pass, we can look forward to those days ahead sitting out in our gardens, enjoying all the hard work we have put in over the winter months.

It may not be the most glamorous of tasks but cleaning and repairing the greenhouse in preparation for the season’s seedlings, cuttings and plug plants is best done before you get too busy.  Removing algae, moss and grime will let more light in and will also help to control pests and disease.

We have had some cold frosty days of late, the gardener within is longing to get out into the garden and get started!