Whoosh! And they were gone, all the beautiful vibrant pink berries that sang out so prolifically in the winter sun. As soon as the cold weather set in, a hungry band of redwings devoured the lot, in under a week. If you are thinking of planting a tree this year and have wildlife in mind, I can recommend the Rowans, mine is Pink Pagoda. Now in its eighth year, it has produced a few seedlings, which are rather variable, some with silver foliage, and others just plain green.

The seed sowing frenzy continues, I am also taking my dahlias and other bulbs out of hibernation, where, unlike last year, they have hung very successfully in the bargain shoe–hangers. I don't appear to have lost a single tuber. One or two are starting to show signs of greenery already, with temperatures reaching almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a sunny day in the closed conservatory.

They will soon be demanding more space (they'll be lucky!) Clearing the garden continues, and general cutting back. First feeds for the roses, and clematis especially, have been given, plus long-life feeds. I won't be seeing the clematis again until the autumn, when they'll be nicely entwined with copious amounts of bindweed!

I'm putting newspaper at the back of the borders to retain moisture before the dreaded hosepipe ban and adding mulches where possible. Unfortunately growing drought-resistant plants seems futile after the last few severe winters, even with protection we are pretty exposed.

Birds singing, buds bursting. I love this time of year. Enjoy your garden.