Spring is on the way

Thanks for reminding us, AndrewR.

~it still feels a long way off Andrew!

Spring definately on the way. I've seen primulas in flower, bright green fresh leaves on my Pulmonaria and new lvs coming on my Osmanthus heterophyllus. I was surprised after all that frost.

I am not going to get too excited yet....have been fooled before, when we moved to Hampshire we were told you dont get frost or snow here (near the sea) well so much for that, the heating has been on solidly for over two weeks now, today Sunday has been fairly good.

It's still looking and feeling very bleak in our garden Andrew. No signs of new growth or Spring here in Bristol yet despite our garden being located in a very sheltered position!

My Hamamelis 'Arnold Promise' hasnt flowered yet my Hellbores are trying and so are my bulbs, Daffs, crocus all sending up green shoots.

Really looking forward to spring this year as I planted lots of bulbs from my many containers but I cant remember which ones where. So I more excited than usual.

Hello Andrew, where we live, I always hear the cuckoo around the third week in April - long way to go yet! Lovely photos by the way.

Good blog. Beautiful pictures and definite promise of Spring not too far away :o)

hi andrew , plants are amazing, they can push through frozen soil , when we have trouble using a garden fork!
i have noticed some growth , but have not ventured into the garden very much these last few weeks.at last the weatherman says it's going to get warmer.looking forward to spring when we can start putting our plans into action..............steve

How nice to see the promise of Spring, thanks for sharing. My pots were finally thawing out and the leaves beginning to perk up after being frozen solid, when today we are hit with cold rain and very high winds. :(

My Hellebores are looking happier today. I did spot little green spikes in my new gate basket when I came in - let's hope that milder weather is here to stay!

Just think of all the bugs and slugs it has killed for us, Spritz

I hope that EVERY snail has gone for good! AND before they could lay their eggs, too! Yes, I know I am horrible, but they destroyed so many of my precious plants last year, I have not forgotten or forgiven them!

~ you will be pleased to know Spritz that whenever I find a snail it gets thrown on my flat roofed garage for my blackbird!Often find emty shells!
Last year it was slugs that were the problem on my hostas and cannas~would not cry if they all disappeared!

Nice blog Andrew. Nothing but snow out there for me. :o(
I'm afraid no snow and new growth are a couple of months off yet.

It gives me a bit of hope, check out my blog on the Botanics frost damage, it was very depressing to see the lovely plants photographed a couple of weeks ago flattened by the frost, but things are popping up and out still reminding me that the best is yet to come. I love the Daphne by the way, very pretty flowers

Yes & no, i have'nt heard it outside yet,but there was a documentary, on tv on friday night about them,very interesting, think it was repeated yesterday teatime.

When I have finally shaken off this wretched bug, I shall go snail hunting - I hope the thrushes come back, it's those that really enjoy snails, isn't it? Do blackbirds eat snails as well, Arlene? Great news if they do!

~I'm sorry you are still suffering Spritz~I have had this for four weeks now and not fully recovered so I know how you feel!
Yes, blackbirds do eat snails as do hedgehogs~ I don't have a thrush in my garden unfortunately~

Like you Arlene, I throw any snails up on the flat roof of the garage. I'm finding I get several thushes in the garden now that I never used to have before. Just need to persuade a family of hedgehogs to move in now

~I was in the woods this morning and saw the shoots of the wild garlic already through~ and about 1 1/2 to 2 inches high~that stuff is indestructible~ and my bowl of snowdrops has a lot of shoots through too!
It would feel more spring like if it warmed up a bit though it is a lot milder and wetter today.
~I did hear a woodpecker in the woods but couldn't see where it was~something to look forward to seeing!

Rain at last today, nothing heavy just that drizzly stuff that gets everything really wet, and has'nt let up all day..Horay!!! and weather much milder, the ground is actually muddy rather than frozen! i have been in and out of the garden today, sorting all my postings, swaps and ebay sales. and i did notice that there are quite a lot of bulbs starting to poke through, mainly just tips for me at the moment though. My Witch Hazle is also starting to come into flower, my forsythia is also starting to bloom, and i do have signs of new growth on a few of my shrubs, mainly just swelling buds at the moment though.....and my Pieris is looking much happier, phew relief! thanks for this Andrew, has cheered me up no end.