We’re definitely seeing signs of spring everywhere, and if I’m honest some scary signs of summer even during February. The tentative blue skies mean it’s time to start thinking about the garden. I tried to be patient this year, just because there was a nice sunny day in Feb, I didn’t suddenly rush out and plant everything. I waited until March, until a couple more frosts had passed by, and then got things underway.

Of course it’s early days so nothing specific to report from the fresh plantings, but I have really loved seeing things start to unfold from their winter hibernation. I’m still new to gardening so have only a handful of things that roll over one season to the next, but my rhubarb pictured above is one of them… and it’s been a small delight watching the little pink stalks peek above the soil and start rolling upwards. If I had the patience, I’d do one of those amazing timelapse videos of a plant emerging and growing… but you’ll just have to take my word for it.

In other gardening news, I’ve picked up a copy of the new Huw Richards book The Self-Sufficiency Garden. Huw got me into vegetable gardening in the first place with his step by step Veg in One Bed book, so I’m really interested in what next steps this book has to offer. I can’t see me ever being diligent enough to be self-sufficient, but considering how good pottering about in the garden is for my mental health, to maximise the output as well is a massive bonus.