We’ve just emerged from the wettest April- early May on record, into  bright blue, but frosty Spring mornings.  Chatsworth Horse Trials which were to have been this weekend have had to be cancelled as much of the grounds are almost marshy with surface water still.  I have been rather submerged as well lately so haven’t been on the blog, – stupid things like changing my password and then forgetting it, and not having the energy to reset. It is so often the minutiae of life that defeat the”genius”, or our subconscious blocks off certain rooms at times, and we don’t go in, even though we know we love doing what is waiting for us inside.  

But, somethings I have done well, like remembering to fleece up and cover my potatoes on frosty nights of which we’ve had too many recently. A wonderful tip told to us  which really works. – Light a candle in your greenhouse last thing in the evening if frost is predicted, and it will burn through the night, lifting the temperature just enough to protect all the tender plants. I have been using old bits of church candle and it really works a treat. Warm as toast next morning in there.

We came back from Madeira with some “everyday cabbage” seeds, the plants which are in every garden there and provide greens throughout the year. The plantlings have done well so I will plant out soon on my patch.