Time and tide wait for no man, nor do the seasons. The oystercatchers “speed dating club” has been in action for weeks with noisy groups of birds gathering in the fields, voraciously probing for invertebrates and acting like hormone-fuelled teenagers. The skylarks are rather more refined and have been proclaiming their territories with glorious song-flights as soon as a mere glimmer of sunshine squeezes between the clouds. Several pairs of shelducks have been waddling around the croft and swimming in the cottage beach cove just like young married couples looking a “des res”. The temperature may still be arctic, but as far as the birds are concerned, the increasing day length is the trigger for procreation preparations.
In the garden there are finally signs that some plants are starting to grow, some of the herbaceous perennials are showing flashes of green and the bulbs have finally appeared. Apart from a few stalwarts, there is really not much sign of flowering. Similarly in the greenhouse and polytunnel the cold weather has had an obvious affect on the rate of growth and flower production. However, this will not protect them from the equinox gales which often arrive at the end of March! It is also interesting to note that when I look over the garden wall, there very few signs of growth in the native plants, they are obviously more highly adapted to the local conditions than my introduced garden plants. Nature wins every time.
As a gardener I’m not immune to the spring imperative, although the procreative urge is directed towards sowing seeds. It is still too early to think about producing plants for the garden, but it is time to start with sowing seed for the early salad greens, new season carrots, spinach and radishes, in the bed in the polytunnel. Always a very satisfying occupation on a sunny afternoon when the cold wind has a sharp edge. It is also time to plant the salad potatoes in the polytunnel and to start to think about when to plant the tomato seeds. Although I’m hyperactive and buzzing with garden plans, I’m still waddling around the garden cocooned in numerous layers and buried under a woolly hat and a scarf. There is just a touch of warmth in the sun and already it is time to begin the spring offensive and start the weed eradication campaign again.
I love the image of you being hyperactive in woolies and wellies! There is a lot of pent-up energy at this time of year, isn’t there? I think I need a long walk to use some of it up!
I can recommend muck shovelling! After a long winter we all need to get out into the great outdoors.
Oh, I love a bit of muck spreading!
We all have our different routines for this time of year, don’t we, whether it’s the courting of the birds or the muck spreading, seed sowing or rambles around our garden looking for new growth. I find myself increasingly conscious of a spiritual connection with the garden at this time of year, as if the sap is rising in me in the same way. Being able to start planting and sowing in your polytunnel must be an important seasonal marker for you and I hope you can remove a few of those layers soon!
I think the promised arrival of spring revitalises us all. I’m just back from a quick migration and although it’s definitely still chilly, there are a few early daffs around and some catlkins. However, the old adage applies about not “shedding clouts ’till May be out” applies – particularly when the climate is so harsh that we can’t grow hawthorn.
You seem to have had rather more visits to the mainland than usual and I am wonder if you have family illnesses to deal with – hope all goes well
Thank you for your concern. Sadly as we age we discover the meaning of mortality as our circle of close friends and family diminishes.
My mother died earlier this year after a long illness, so for a while I’m quieter and more reclusive, but my garden is a healing spiritual retreat.
Will email, Christine
Lovely to see the small signs of spring. Here everything is still covered with nearly 100 centimeters of snow and temperatures are down to minus 20 during night. Although the birds have begin to sing 🎶 😊.
Fortunately it’s not that cold here! Plenty of sunshine but the cold easterly winds are delaying the plnat growth. However, the first cowslip (Primula veris) is in flower in the garden.