In like a lion and out like a lamb

Posted by Rosie

Well March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb but this year in Normandy, it came in like a lamb and went out like a lion.  The first week in March was gorgeous and I got really excited that we would have an early spring but then it kind of went downhill from there, first with frosts and then howling gales to close the month.  All this has meant that things are really not galloping forwards in the veg garden in a way I would like them to .... my turnips have just germinated but are sitting there shivering and refusing to grow, my parsnips haven't germinated at all and the broad beans I transplanted last week are sulking.  I have cabbages, cauliflowers and broccoli that I bought at the market 10 days ago still in their pots not out in the garden and a polytunnel beginning to get rather full of plants that I want to get outside but can't as the soil is still too cold.  And I have yet to sow the squashes that were the subject of my Sunday photo.

HOWEVER, spring is here and so I took myself off for a walk, camera in hand, just to remind myself of this fact.  This is what I found:

Primulas

Japanese Rose leaves budding

White violets

Violets

And in the polytunnel:

Rocket gone to flower

Seedlings waiting for warmer weather

And look what I've found in the pond ....

Frog spawn

Spring is here, she is just being a bot shy about revealing her warmer weather!  How are things progressing in your garden?  Did you survive the storms?  I'm off to see what other gardeners have to say on Annie's How Does Your Garden Grow linky.  Why don't you head over and have a look too.

Finally, an apology, as I was really poor at getting round to commenting on last week's HDYGG - changes are happening on one of our main gite listing sites which we are not happy with and could greatly affect our business.  I have spent a bucket-load of time on that, including the design of a survey to gather a bit of much needed information.   If you go on self catering holidays could you possibly click on the link here to the survey and answer the 17 quick multi choice questions on how you book a self catering holiday.   Many many thanks.