troubled waters

Well, have been told off by Bob (the Gardener to the Big House) for not oiling my tools before I put them away in the winter - well I am a reckless gardener! - and by my friend with the nice garden where you can sit and enjoy glasses of wine in a variety of pleasant seating areas, because she says I didn't give due homage to the other half of the dynamic duo who plays a big part in helping her create this oasis! So homage paid.

Well now I have put that right can I proceed onto calmer waters? Our web editor recently said that she sometimes feels like a little gerbel running round a wheel trying to keep everything going and I know how she feels. This time of year there is always a lot of pressure for Chelsea and of course we still have to deal with all the other stuff which comes our way.

Anyway, we have some exciting features coming onto the website shortly so keep logging on. There will be an interview with the iconic designer John Brookes and a review of John's latest book.

On a beautifully sunny spring day I visited Speke Hall yesterday and this was a really enjoyable visit. They had done a lot to the gardens and surrounding grounds since my last visit several years ago and the room stewards were friendly and interesting. So watch out for a report on that in our gardens to visit section. We shall also be going down to Staffordshire next month to look at several garden attractions in that area, so something else not to miss.

Now I have made my peace with the world I will sign off.

a feathered friend

Spring must be here because we have had a feathery visitor singing his little heart out on top of our telegraph pole - which unfortunately sits in the middle of my flower bed but one must, if one wants to communicate with the outside world I suppose - anyway I was saying that our little thrush friend is really entertaining us. I think he is looking for a wee friend to snuggle up to in the trees so I hope he finds one.

It's good to see the nights drawing out and the morning getting a little lighter too. Today, is sunny and bright in Cumbria and I have been on a tour of inspection around the garden. I also discovered some pots of tete-ta-tete daffodils which I had forgotten about behind the garage so they have come out for all to see.

I only wish I could remove the fleece from the clematis but I know only too well that if I do that before the end of April I am doomed. Slowly, I am bringing pots out of the garage - I am so impatient at this time of the year, I just want the sun to come up and the weather to warm up and everything to start sprouting.

Diarmuid Gavin once told me that his favourite time in the garden was Spring. I couldn't agree more, it is a magical time and certainly my favourite too. I am getting excited already!

We have been doing some decorating and I had to move my gardening books for awhile. One thing about moving your bookcase is that it causes you to look at some of the books which might otherwise remain on the bookshelf. You forget just what useful books you have sometimes. Reckless regularly reviews new gardening books so don't forget to look in our review section on the website. There are some excellent ones coming out this Spring including John Brookes 'Gardening Design Course'.

Well make sure that the shears are oiled, the fork cleaned and the spade made ready - it's coming!!

neglecting tasks

One is utterly ashamed to say that one has not been out during the brief recent sunny spell to cut the roses. I know this job needs doing - Bob has already started his - but I have been tardy to say the least.

It's not that I don't want to - I think as I get older I shy away from any sort of activity which means I have to do something akin to work, although seriously cutting roses and pruning has always been one of my favourite activities.

So,here I am, today, sitting here computing and writing up features instead of being out there pruning. I have done a little snipping here and there but nothing to shout about. Everything is still wrapped up in fleece - I know to be wary of frosts in Cumbria in March and even in April - and so I feel that the garden is still asleep despite signs of vibrant life in several quarters.

Anyway, I have been thoroughly absorbed in Chelsea preparations and hope that you will be too as the latest information and gardens are posted onto the website. But Spring is getting nearer, I can feel it, and with it a slight skip of the heart, an anticipation of things to come, glories to see and gardens to visit - I can't wait!

Alfred Hitchcock once said that "a good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it." The same applies to gardening. It's wonderful when all the roses and plants start bursting into bloom and you sit there and cast a satisfied eye over your creation - it's worth all the hard work just for that brief moment.

I'm pretending not to see the weeds and our green wheelie bin man thinks I have a terminal illness because I haven't been filling up the bin! Well now that March is here watch out! The rake and hoe will come out and hopefully I will finally get round to that pruning.

pure joy

I have had a prick of conscience and just been to check the Begonia tubers. They are well and healthy and looking at me to rescue them from the deep cardboard box which has been their snug home over the winter. I was thrilled that neither mice nor frost had got to them and brought them out with such triumph! Oh the joys of gardening.