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lightening - which actually made the house shake. Then came huge hailstones, which temporarily flattened the hellebores and spring bulbs. Luckily, because there was very little soft new foliage about, nothing seems to have been seriously damaged

soggy mess.One advantage of the rainfall has been the success of the biological control I applied to some areas of my kitchen garden. Nematodes are added to water and applied to the soil in spring. They thrive in warm, moist soil and when they come

, the sparrows had already moved in. We're never in any doubt when spring has sprung; the roof comes alive with the wonderful sound of new sparrow families. We can often be found peering anxiously up towards the roof to see how things are progressing

providing them with safe places to roost and raise their young, as well as a year-round supply of food.But I'm worried. I know that feeding birds is a good thing, it helps many survive the miserable winter to live and breed the following spring. But as I

, and are just big enough to be seen by me, but not to be noticed by delivery drivers and friends who jump out of their vehicles and crash down on them! Well, at least this means spring must be on the way!

to flower.But last spring, thanks to the vigilance of our newly-acquired cat, the tulip bulbs did actually flower. The display was gorgeous. Old habits die hard, though, and this year I placed plastic trays over two low-level planters that were planted

and expertise it takes to get fruit trees ready and trained to this level.Once new trees are bought and planted in newly enriched soil, you can look forward to the first crop in a few years time. If you’re intending to buy new fruit trees this spring, I

Growing your own cut flowers is pure luxury, but it's also a great way to save money. I love to have flowers in the house and come late-winter I feel I almost need some spring cheer to help me ward off symptoms of SAD.Cut flowers also remind me

People are always banging on about summer salads, but it's the winter months when I crave fresh, green leaves. Even now in April, there's still not enough fresh greenery about, despite the fact that spring is well and truly here. Just the other

Should snowdrops be planted in spring in-the-green (after the flowers have died down but when their foliage is still green and lush) or as dry bulbs in autumn? It's a question that divides opinion in even the most prestigious horticultural circles