New year, new challenges! We had a promising start to the winter, with mild weather and early arrivals in the garden, then came snow in the beginning of February and much colder weather for a long period which slowed down everything. We have had very little rain here in London this winter, so little that we will have a hosepipe ban from 5th April and we are all encouraged to save as much water as we can.

As I am writing this, in mid March, we are enjoying a spell of warm weather and the spring flowers are growing like mad. I can see a difference from day to day! My garden is pretty much on time this year, not very early despite the warm start to the winter, and not in any way late either. A nice, normal spring, if such thing exists! Last year we had an incredibly warm April and May, and then the summer was pretty much over. After a normal spring this year it would be nice with a ‘normal summer’ to follow. It’s been many years since last time...

Update late June: how wrong I was about having a normal spring! After the wettest April on record we had a very cold May and June haven’t been any better. The hosepipe ban was abandoned pretty quickly, as it has rained so much that flooding was more a risk than drought. And my garden is now so late that I don’t think it has ever been as late as this. So much for a normal spring!