Spring has sprung!

At last, the days stretch longer, and patches of sunshine brighten our spirits. I've begun the spring sowing ritual, though not without challenges—mice have been feasting, and the lingering chill has slowed germination.

Last autumn taught me valuable lessons; the September cornflowers rushed through their cycle too quickly, so I'll shift to October or November plantings this year.

My Daucus carota seedlings show promise, carefully positioned away from the Watership Down that is the top of our field (though those furry thieves seem more interested in the neighboring farm's offerings than my carefully tended beds).

My seed trays now cradle the future with delicate Nigella, stately Larkspur, cheerful Calendula, and my beloved Orlaya with their lacy white blooms. Alongside them rest Ammi, snapdragons, Nicotiana, Scabious, and poppies—each a promise waiting to unfold.

In the polytunnel, Anemones are already peeping through the soil, roses stretch toward the canopy, and a special bed of pink Nigella has just broken ground.

The peonies, now in their fourth season, emerge from their winter sleep. Last year they gave me some lovely blooms and this year I expect even more.

Roses, nourished by our wet winter, have formed lots of promising buds. The Sweet Williams, planted in summer, show strong growth, while September's Orlaya seedlings are beginning to unfurl their leaves.

It's dizzying how suddenly the garden awakens—Churchill daffodils will soon trumpet spring's arrival after months of dormancy, and just yesterday, a package arrived containing this year's dahlia tubers, dormant clumps of potential ready for their moment.

So it's all looking sunny in the flower field and let's hope it stays that way for a while yet!