Coffee on the Terrace

So far we are having a very strange winter, so mild that we have been able to have coffee on the terrace on several occasions this year.

The snow drops are looking lovely and the hellebores are putting on a wonderful show, we even have a beautiful yellow one which is very unusual. The double ones are very beautiful.

The first of the daffodils are out and many more will be out in the next few days, spring is such a joyful time with the dormant garden coming to life. The peonies are beginning to show signs of life and as in so many gardens many plants are more advanced than we usually expect, the suggestion is that with global warming our seasons are one month ahead.

The greenhouse is now filling with seed trays of peppers, tomatoes, broad beans, spinach and other vegetables and salad items. We have had rocket and winter salads growing since November , which we have been picking throughout the winter. 

The vegetable garden is still stocked with leeks, swiss chard, curly and russian kale and lots of parsley. The onions, garlic and shallots are all growing well, the garden does better with autumn planted alliums than those planted in the spring.

We have also had a very dry winter and the lake level is very low, which is concerning for the summer, it is always possible that we could have a wet week which will top it up. The fish have not yet come up, it is still too cold for them to reappear. Seeing them swimming around is always a sign that warm spring weather is on its way. I love wild water swimming but have to admit to being a wimp in the winter.

We have had guests in January, which is unusual but it is always nice to greet returning guests.

Fingers crossed that the mild weather continues and we don’t get a dumping of snow this month.