Spring has sprung

Apple blossom has appeared on the tree we planted last year to the wall at the end of the house facing the raised veg beds. This is the first time we've had a fruit tree that will hopefully produce some tasty apples later in the year.

The rest of our soft fruits are also coming along nicely with lots of berries setting on the black currants, strawberry flowers appearing on the new plants that we planted in the planter given to us as a wedding present and lots of leaves appearing on the raspberry canes planted earlier this year.

In the veg beds we have so far sown seed for carrots, radish, two types of beetroot, spring onions, lettuce, rocket and parsnips. The shallots planted about a month ago have lots of green shoots. We also planted small plants of brussel sprout and purple sprouting broccoli but the pigeons have been feasting on the leaves so we shall need to set up a deterent with string and cotton. We have several pots and containers with potatoes - three varieties this year - Ulster Sceptre, International Kidney (aka Jersey Royals) and Pink Fir Apple.

In the greenhouse the mange tout, borlotti beans and sweetcorn have all appeared in their pots and we also have the first chilli seedlings popping their little green buds above the compost. Herbs this year include mint, sage, chives, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm and marjoram.

In the flower garden we have planted some more perennials and herbacious plants along with some summer flower bulbs and for the first time ever, we have some dahlia's in pots. We've never tried dalia's before so this will be a learning opportunity on how to grow them.

Our three climbing roses are all doing really well and this year we have six flowers on the wisteria planted three years ago.

Our next challenge is to get to grips with the front garden which at the moment looks very unloved and overgrown. Dandelions and couch grass have both made their homes across the garden as well as a rampant 'Rose of Sharon' which has sent what seems like millions of runners under the earth only to pop up everywhere as little green rosettes of leaves - another job to get back under control.

This weekend was the annual Yesteryear Road Run through the village with all types of vintage cars, heavy transport vehicles, tractors and motorbikes. Although the day started gloomy and wet it soon cleared up and we walked the dogs around the village green taking a good look at the vehicles on display.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden, pottering and weeding and enjoying the sunshine and then popped down to the pub for an early evening drink.