Thursday

Its really windy again today but there are definite signs of spring with more of my little irises coming up as well as clumps of snowdrops. I put the broad beans out in the troughs but I suspect their cloche will not last long. Hopefully they will prove hardy enough in their own right for it not to matter

Tuesday

Its back to being cold here and unfortunately I’m less than well. However I was pleased to find the first of the irises is out. I love these wee flowers and in my garden they are a real harbinger of spring arriving. Ben spent much of the day in but did make some expeditions down the Magic Garden to talk to the blackbirds.

Friday

I had a long day at work so it was dark when I got home. Its mild & windy so Ben and I went out - I sat on the arbour chair while he inspected the garden.

Thursday 2nd February

Today is Candlemass - while now a Christian festival, in times past it was celebrated as the festival of light occurring on the day that marks the mid-point between the Winter Solstice & Spring Equinox. This is a time of optimism as the new shoots of spring are visible

Monday

Another day at work. I’ve submitted my bird list for the RSPB Big Birdwatch and was rather disappointed by how few I had this year. I have feeders up through the back of the garden and have quietly added more as the years have gone on.

Sunday

I did quite a bit in the Magic Garden. I tidied up the blue berry patch by the back door and moved the troughs around. I’ve planted French Tropadome garlic cloves in between the kale plants at the back. I also planted 3 pulmonaria under the apple tree - pulmonaria Pink Dawn, Sissinghurst White & Blue Ensign from right to left behind the tree. Ben cat kept an eye on both me and his beloved nip plants.

I am not sure how much I take note of the phase of the moon - it is currently waxing with the next full moon in a week. I think I understand that during this period I should not have planted the garlic as it is a root crop but on the other hand this is the end of January so if it does not grow I think I will blame that rather than the moon. It is though supposed to be a good time to start off plants that are leafy and above ground. I have sowed rudbeckia  Rustic Dwarf mix today and will start some stevia too. I will though also be using the ‘sunlight’ lamp to substitute for the lack of light and windowsills available to me.

Saturday

Its been cold and bright here today. Going to the Post Office, I saw a lovely oriental hellebore & decided to treat myself and have added it to the winter patch. It is gorgeous and such a contrast of the simplicity of the white one already there.

Thursday

I was off work today so had a wee bit of time to spend in the Magic Garden and was delighted to find more snowdrops coming out. Some of these are from home and so extra special. I was also pleased to find that the nearly black hellebores are also coming out now but Ben was just interested in the catnip plant!

Tuesday

Its been a beautiful sunny day here so even Ben was persuaded out for a while to be in the sun and of course to inspect the various catnip plant sites. I suspect I will have to protect future plantings!

Sunday

Its still very cold here with the Magic Garden frozen in places. I put the remainder of the daffodil bulbs into the troughs to treat as cut flowers if they grow & flower. The rudbeckia are potted up into wee pots and as soon as the temperature rises a little I will transfer them to the cold frame.

Saturday

Today has been a beautiful if very cold day. It was not a day for planting the remainder of the bulbs as the temperature remained below zero all day

The heuchera are providing colour in both front and back garden but several are looking very sad & I wonder if this is due to the cold. I suspect I will have to replace some of them.