I can hear my garden talking to me.
Hi, it says. We see you. Looking out the window.
You OK? You’re wondering if we’re OK aren’t you?
What do you think everyone? Yup. Everyone’s just fine. Thanks for asking.
It’s only February you know. It’s not Spring yet. Not really winter either. Just a waiting around kind of time.
Snow didn’t bother us. We’re hardy. Literally.
Some of us are up of course. Snowdrops popping up here and there. Never sure if or where they’ll appear but every year they turn up.
Those special hellebores you planted last year are looking fabulous. We see you’ve put a few more in this week. They love it here. Your soil is perfect for them.
All the bulbs are thinking about it. Daffodils waking up but tulips still resting.
This is to come
and this
But right now it’s only February! Give us a chance. We’re working hard underground just waiting for the right time.
Thing is, we’ve got everything we need here. We’re sitting in lovely brown crumbly soil teeming with bugs, moisture and food. We’ve got a bit of sun, some rain now and then, shelter, birds hopping about and coming to the feeders, foxes to visit us at night, cats running around.
It’s all go. And thanks for the blanket of compost when it was cold. We might look dull but there’s so much life going on underground. Forget-me-nots are coming through in the cracks in the paving. In May there’ll be a sea of blue flowers all over the garden.
So don’t be impatient for Spring. We’ll do our stuff when we’re ready. Just come out here and have a sit down.
Read your lovely book. It has so much to tell us about how to be in our garden.
Have your coffee.
We’re fine. Really.
Our weather permits our garden here in southeast Ireland to be well ahead of yours. Our snowdrop season is coming to its end but crocus, daffodils and other spring plants are into full growth and flower. I hope that snow thaws quickly for you! Brrrrrrrrr!
oh we only had snow for a week well before Christmas – it’s sheltered here in London but not half as lovely as your location must be. I love everything about Ireland and Dingle is our favourite place to visit. all the best, julie
Oh, this is lovely! Thanks – as ever – for the encouragement and inspiration, Julie!
Thankyou Mary, how nice of you to comment. all the best, Julie
Hi Julie
We in New Zealand (Clevedon, Auckland) haven’t had the greatest of summer weather. Autumn is almost upon us and I already notice that little treasures like Oxalis, Muscari and Colchicums, small Cyclamen are making their appearance.Love this time of year- it’s my favourite season. Your garden patch is just like mine – a pocket handkerchief and filled with wonder. Follow your stories avidly…
Thank you for sharing
Hi Joan, how wonderful for me to hear from you so far away and yet we have so much in common with our small gardens and our climate. I guess we are both in temperate climes. Our winter was dark and dull but not very cold for long. It hasn’t rained now for weeks so that’s weird. I hope you have a lovely autumn with all those autumnal colours and we here patiently wait for Spring. all the best, Julie
Great post – and that book looks interesting.
Thankyou so much Barbara, yes it’s a very calming gentle book by a chap who I’ve followed for a long time. I do think gardening is changing slowly here. it’s time it ceased to be a list of chores and became a place for relaxation and joy. let’s hope so. One garden at a time. all the best, julie