When to sow and when not to sow - every gardeners difficult decision

We had just about every type of weather known to man at my plot on Friday last week. A little snow shower to start the day, wind and rain, a lovely sunny lunchtime followed by a little more snow and then hailstones! 

I have held off from sowing any seeds or planting out any seedlings as yet and that decision has proved to be the correct one with temperatures below freezing over the weekend. I have said it before, it is very easy to get caught out by Fools Spring and the last couple of weeks has just confirmed that, beautiful sunny and warm weather for a few days followed by wintery cold conditions almost changing over night. I have seen a few posts on Social Media of young plants decimated by frosts and snow, it so easily done, I have certainly done it in the past, but sometimes you have to fight that desire to plant and sow and wait for Mother Nature. 

Space in the Conservatory and Greenhouse is at a premium with so many seedlings waiting to go out onto the plot. The forecast for this week is certainly warmer, if wet, but there is still the possibility of a couple of cold nights so I will be keeping an eye on the forecast in the hope I can get some seedlings into the ground come the weekend. I will certainly be planting out the Leeks sooner rather than later, hardly little things that they are, and will probably try to sow Carrot and Parsnip seeds if warm enough come the weekend. The Runner Bean seedlings and Courgette seedlings may need to wait a week or so yet and will probably take up residence in the log store to harden off a little further; they are open the the elements in there but under cover so safe from frosts. The Tomato plants that are destined for the veg patch, Black Cherry and Limoncito, will certainly be kept under cover for a couple of weeks yet as will the Pea Bingo seedlings that have germinated and are growing nicely. The seedlings destined for the Greenhouse, the Buffalo Steak and Gigantomo, will be planted under glass as soon as I can get the Runner Bean seedlings out of there! 

I have managed to mow the lawn once this year but with the amount of rain and couple of light frosts we have had I have been unable to give that it's second cut just yet. It is looking scruffier than I would like for early April but I won't cut until we have a dry day as yous imply run the risk of doing more damage than good mowing a wet lawn. 

The Lilly Bulbs, Lillum Casa Blanca and Tower Lily Pretty Woman, are poking their heads above the ground in the White Border and it appears there is growth form the Chrysanthemum Silver Princess bare roots I planted back in January which is pleasing. I am looking forward to seeing how this border progresses over the summer. I have sown some Chrysanthemum Polar Star seeds in pots that are sitting on the back bedroom windowsill for now and these will also be added to the White Border come late spring all being well. 

I recently ordered two Buddleja High Five Purple from Thompson and Morgan in 9cm pots, they are a drawf variety that should grow to no more than three-feet in size. They have been potted up into a couple of nice big square terracotta pots which in time they should fill and will hopefully bring in Bee's and Butterflies to the garden for years to come. 

Lastly, it appears a pair of Blue Tits have taken up residence in the nest box. It is very enjoyable sitting in the garden, or conservatory on chiller days, watching them come and go building their nest; hopefully there will be chicks in due course. 

Cheers 🍺