It's a lovely sunny day here in south Norfolk, 10C, but was a bit foggy early this morning. Shows how where you live makes a difference to the way you treat your garden.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
This morning in mid-Suffolk it dawned cold, possibly a touch of frost overnight and very misty. By late morning the mist had cleared and it was brilliant sunshine and (with no breeze) there was a hint of warmth in the air and it felt positively springlike. I class the first day of spring as the first day it's warm enough to sit and enjoy a coffee in the garden without gloves and hat! It was nearly there today.
March is usually my busiest month - a month of tidying, cutting back, weeding and mulching and this is also when I do most divisions. This year we are away for nearly the whole of March so I've been very disciplined about getting out there through the winter and doing a little every day when it's dry.
Consequently, it's not quite the end of February and all the tree and pruning work is done. The borders are reasonably tidy and a large one is mulched and ready for the season. I have already done a few divisions along the way - mainly tough stuff like primulas and brunnera - and I'm pretty sure they'll survive ok. I'm just having to be a bit careful about not cutting off tiny pieces. My clay soil is very heavy and sticky at the moment because of all the rain and small pieces can rot in those conditions.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I'd agree with you @Topbird- things like primulas, which like wetter conditions anyway, and are tough as old boots, would be easy enough to split and replant. Native prims flower on and off all year round here, as the conditions suit them. Mine have been really nice for quite a while. If the slugs would just leave the foliage alone though.... I know what you mean about sitting - I was hoping the sun would stay out today, but as is often the case, it's been cloudy most of the afternoon, after being nice this morning. It's usually March before we get enough warmth for sitting with several layers, but it's ideal for doing any grafting or heavier work.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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March is usually my busiest month - a month of tidying, cutting back, weeding and mulching and this is also when I do most divisions. This year we are away for nearly the whole of March so I've been very disciplined about getting out there through the winter and doing a little every day when it's dry.
Consequently, it's not quite the end of February and all the tree and pruning work is done. The borders are reasonably tidy and a large one is mulched and ready for the season. I have already done a few divisions along the way - mainly tough stuff like primulas and brunnera - and I'm pretty sure they'll survive ok. I'm just having to be a bit careful about not cutting off tiny pieces. My clay soil is very heavy and sticky at the moment because of all the rain and small pieces can rot in those conditions.
I know what you mean about sitting - I was hoping the sun would stay out today, but as is often the case, it's been cloudy most of the afternoon, after being nice this morning. It's usually March before we get enough warmth for sitting with several layers, but it's ideal for doing any grafting or heavier work.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...