It’s been pretty mild this winter so far, and therefore my garden is a mixture of bulbs that are doing well at the right time of year, alongside bulbs that are doing well a month or so ahead of their usual time.

I planted a load of Crocus bulbs last year along my garden path, and this year they have finally emerged. They’re mostly purple, aside from a few Crocus ‘Golden Bunch’ yellow ones that I planted at the end of 2017.

Joining them, are some Daffodil bulbs that are in pots which seem to be far ahead of the bulbs that I planted directly in the garden last autumn. I suspect that this is because they’re getting warmer.

Despite the Daffodils enjoying the warmer pot, the Crocus ‘Vanguard’ bulbs which I planted in a small windowbox-sized pot in 2016 have yet to show a flower. Their leaves are up, but maybe they flower a little later? If they don’t emerge soon, I will transfer them from their pot and plant them out amongst the rest of the crocuses.

Almost a year ago, we had snow, and the crocuses disappeared under the snow for weeks in what was one of the coldest and longest UK winters for many years.

Bee-friendly flowers

With the milder weather comes a few early-emerging bees. These bees are hungry, desperately looking for pollen, and the simple crocus flower, along with snowdrops, provide an essential food source that can help feed a hungry swarm and get them safely into spring.

Hopefully the snow will stay away this year as so many tender shoots and insects have begun to emerge, although a few hard frosts might be helpful to slow down the slugs and snails!

I hope that you’re busily preparing for the growing season – it’s right around the corner. As ever, happy gardening, and thanks for reading.

Andrew