Has the weather really got wierder over the past few years or do we just notice it more now that it matters so much more – frosts in the late spring affect gardeners as well as plants.

Since starting this business (and series of blogs) we have had two hot, dry springs (2011 and 2012), both followed by soggy summers and a bitterly cold spring in 2013.  Last autumn and this winter have seen the wettest few months that we can remember – official stats seem to agree with our memories.  We have been relatively lucky with regard to flooding, most of the properties in the village seem to have escaped without being inundated, despite the fact that the Thames runs through the heart of Cookham.  The flood plain seems to have done its job and while there were moments when it looked as though it was close to capacity, there were some millions of gallons of water that were held on field for a few days before returning to the river.  Had this all gone downstream at the same time the damage further down the river would have been even worse than it was.  This “lake” is normally pastureland with a small pond frequented by ducks and swans.

Widbrook Common

All this water has an effect on gardening as well, much of the ground is now so wet that setting foot on it starts to compress it and damage the structure.  This means that the sensible option is to steer clear of the soil and that therefore some of the jobs normally done at this time of year are on hold, for example pruning fruit trees.  For many of these jobs there is a window of opportunity and it is likely that things will dry up before this window closes, so as ever patience is the gardener’s friend.  More irritating is that the unseasonable warmth means that weeds are continuing to grow, yet beds, lawns and borders are so soft that weeding sessions could make more mess than they clean up.  A couple of clear cold weeks would help to get everything back into balance.

In the meantime there is plenty to be done indoors, propagation continues and seed sowing is imminent.  Outdoors there is always the promise of spring and these crocuses sprouting amongst the primulas will soon be in full bloom.

A promise of spring