We thought spring might be on the way. Wrong.
Instead of sowing seeds and planting bulbs we had snowdrifts. Happily they are melting now so we are back to the mud of early February.
Luckily I'd brought in some more twigs of Forsythia two weeks ago and now they are just right for a vase having opened up in the warm.
I should add that the Forsythia I cut about a month ago has only just dropped it's petals, very good value at this difficult time of year.
Everything else looks pretty sad and we will have to wait and see what has survived the week of -5 temperatures and bitter winds.
The strong winds made pretty drifts. This is my front bed completely covered in snow.
And a solitary crocus blooming in the midst. The grass needs a good cut but who knows when it will be dry enough?
For plenty of varied vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.
The stars were in alignment for me on Saturday and I was able to spend the whole day outside for the first time this year. I came in with every bone aching, nettle stings on my hands and a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. I have whittled away at the winter jobs over the last month, I'm not saying they are all done, but I have certainly made better progress than last year. Winter is not over yet though, but the weeds are starting to grow so Spring must be on the way.
I've started a very few seeds but we are promised a cold snap in the next few weeks so I am not getting carried away. I don't want lots of leggy seedlings and no-where to put them. Our safe planting date is still at least 3 months away so patience is necessary.
In the meantime I've forced spring on a bit with this vase.
About 2 weeks ago I brought these Forsythia twigs inside after reading that you can force them to open early, particularly on Chloris' blog. I read that on the 5th Feb and sometime in the next few days I cut these branches. They really were in very tight bud but have opened up so very quickly.
It wasn't easy to get a good picture but here you can see the grey outside and the sunshine inside.
I don't often have anything big enough for this tall, heavy glass vase.
Interestingly, the buds on the Cornus and Leycesteria in last week's vase have also started to open. I'm keeping them so see how far they go and if I can use them next week and perhaps add something else!
I'm joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a vase on Monday. She encourages to look around to see what we can bring in to put in a vase, jam jar, jug or teapot, as she has used today.
