Up at the allotment this morning it was full throttle crocus, and also this year’s first sighting of a honey bee which was paying them a visit. Sadly the bee is missing from this photo due to the malfunctioning state of the camera wielder who was in a bit of a dream due to the astonishing arrival of warm and dazzling sunshine.
In fact the day remained so perfect I returned to the allotment late this afternoon to do some actual work. Nothing like a bit of twilight gardening with only foraging blackbirds for company. The sky over the town was rose pink, and all was quiet on the allotment plots. When I opened up the polytunnel it was pleasantly warm inside. I sowed some spinach seeds in one of the corner beds, broad beans in modular trays (Super Aquadulce, and Masterpiece Green Longpod) and a few handfuls of Early Onward peas in two metre lengths of plastic guttering (a method that makes for speedy transplanting).
And then as the fine weather had done a good job drying up the allotment’s general sogginess, I thought it would be a good moment to fetch some soil from the old compost heap which some of us have been recycling over the last three years. In the last of the daylight I managed two barrow loads of nice crumbly soil, just enough to top dress a raised bed. And then, as it really was growing dark, I put away grandfather’s spade and walked home across Townsend Meadow under a bright half moon, serenaded by blackbirds singing their evening songs.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Love Not War
copyright 2019 Tish Farrell
Tish Farrell 
Crocus season – spring’s here?
We are bogged down in sogginess up to our knees,
It’s rained so much it drowned the fleas …
On cats and dogs and the chickens too,
But at least it washed away their poo!
Beautiful crocuses and a lovely photo.
Happy Wellington’s Day to you, dear Tish!
Blimey. That does sound wet. I knew they’ve been getting a lot in Zambia, the best rains in years. But it would be good (general benefits of flea banishing apart) if it didn’t come all at once. Happy puddle-bashing.
It has rained on and off for the past ten days.
We bought a new lawnmower a fortnight ago and have not yet had the opportunity to use it.
This should give you some idea how much rain we’ve had!
Ah well. Bought a lawn mower, did you – good as having a rain dance… 😉
Yes … what a twit, right?
My lips are sealed.
Ha flipping ha!
😊
the crocus are beauifu. Sounds like a lovely afternoon in the dirt.
Yep. Good to get all grubby 🙂
Gorgeous croci, Tish. Sounds like you had a very productive day. 🙂
Well the last 2 hours were productive 🙂
Be still my heart! Harbingers of spring indeed!! Here the warm temperatures of today (back into winter tomorrow) have melted all the lovely ice that was encasing everything. Now it’s back to wet and dreary, so your flowers were especially welcome. Thanks!
janet
Happy to bring you a bit of spring, Janet We’ve been promised it for the next few days, but who knows what will come next.
Lovely signs of spring and I think late afternoon is the best time to enjoy the garden. Over here that is the coolest, sort of, time when I do the watering to the sound of kookaburras and lorikeets. I would love to hear the sweet sound of a blackbird again.
Thank you for that little vignette, Pauline. That’s a lovely picture you paint with your own soundscape.
So Australian
Magnificent crocuses and such a lovely lavender blue too. Most of mine are a dark purple, but equally joyous.
These particular ones seem to have grown themselves outside what was a pigeon loft. They’re much smaller than the usual garden ones as if they’ve grown from lots of tiny corms. But as you say, lovely however they come.
Seeded by pigeon droppings perhaps?
That’s an intriguing thought. A gift of pigeons past.
A wonderful day.
🙂
A day of good labours and essential joys.
It surely felt that way 🙂
They are such a pretty colour. It’s nice to see signs of Spring.
It does perk one up. Tho this a.m. we have heavy fog which is a bit of a puzzle in Feb.
The weather likes to keep us guessing. 😉
A beautiful beautiful romance for Valentine’s Day! Beats a tubed red rose from Woollies hollow.
This makes me smile and smile, Meg.
One has to be blessed to see such beautiful flowers in the garden. Thanks for sharing.
Blessed indeed, Dilip. Thank you.
What a glorious day. 😀 … our lovely 20cm of snow is being slowly melted by the Return of the Rain … le sigh.
Oh dear, rain on snow. V. slushy.
It rained all day today, but it was warm and I think whatever snow we had is gone — at least until Monday. i have to go look. Ours may be up, too.
They’re good at sudden, surprise appearances.
So very beautiful! Spring will soon be here. 🙂
We seem to be having it this week, though whether it’s staying is another matter 🙂