We Dare to Dream

 Locals tell us that Winter is never passed until the end of February at the earliest. However we have been lulled into a false sense of security in recent years as winters have been so mild. So mild that I decided this Autumn to leave my dahlias and cannas in the ground as it is a huge job to lift and store them. A big mistake I fear as we have had wall to wall frosts throughout January and February with sub zero temperatures often lasting all day and the ground never thawing. However in the last few days we have had signs of Spring. Although we have risen to temperatures just below zero in the mornings the sun has come out quickly and warmed things up resulting in a few bulbs blooming and buds swelling. 

The first daffodil to bloom but there are plenty more to come!

I find these mid winter months so frustrating as I itch to get going in the garden. Of course I have been developing new ideas (John says i.e. spending money if not now very soon). I have had some success with cuttings which is not normal, but I don't suppose they will be reflected in an increase in the bank balance!! We had planned to spend the short winter days collecting free compost from the local recycling depot to mulch the beds so that we were well ahead when winter was over. We plan this every year and it never happens but this year it was just too cold to venture out. However in recent days we have been hard at it and the front garden is well covered. The idea is that it will suppress weeds and hold moisture but it remains to be seen whether it has read the gardening manuals!!

It may sound as though we have been twiddling our thumbs but no we have caught up on entertaining and a bit of necessary DIY rectification in the house. We have been here nearly 17 years now and the Forth Bridge senario is kicking in.

We are not the only ones heralding the arrival of Spring, the birds can't wait to start nesting even though I have had to thaw their water every morning for weeks. During the heart of winter the buzzards, which are numerous here, have a particularly hard time, however one has been clever and has quickly learned that we put meat scraps out from time to time so he visits regularly. Mr  Fox continues to call but he is often disappointed. May we all slip into growth mode, except the weeds of course.

Our 'local' Buzzard in his winter white phase.