March 2010

Snowdrops nod in the breeze

Winter is slowly loosening its grip on the garden and the snow is starting to recede. Where the snow has gone there are already signs of spring, the muscari (Grape Hyacinth) bulbs are showing their green shoots, and will soon be a sea of blue. The snowdrops are showing white and these are the earliest to bloom. In some spots the daffodils are beginning to emerge, all signs of better days to come.

As soon as the ground is dry enough it will be spring cleanup time. All the dead plants left over from last year and any other debris left over from winter must be removed. All dead and broken parts of any shrubs or perennials should be removed too.

The perennial grasses which showed through the snow should be cut back to the ground; this is best done before the new growth starts. It is difficult to cut once the new growth begins.