Last week was another dry week. One evening we had some precipitation (I wouldn’t really call it rain), which wetted the surface of the ground but didn’t penetrate to where it is needed.
On the allotment, we already need to water anything that we have managed to plant.
We had a couple of afternoons on the allotment when we planted another bed of potatoes.
We also erected the hazel poles that form the basis of our sweet pea frame. We now need to weave twiggy branches to fill the gaps and provide the sweet peas with something to cling to.
It may not seem a lot for two afternoons’ work, but we also had weeding and general plot maintenance to keep on top of. The grass paths continue to grow despite the lack of rain.
We managed to bring home our first harvest, namely a few sticks of rhubarb.
A third afternoon was spent working in the garden.
That left us with time for walks with Ruby.
Everywhere is gradually turning green as the trees take turns to unfurl their leaf buds.
Different species of trees leaf at different times in spring. Larch, alder and silver birch are among the first to leaf, with beech trees usually being the latest.
Spring green has a vibrant quality that gradually dulls as the young leaves mature. 
Tree blossom adds different hues to the spring colour palette.
On the allotment, apple and quince trees are flowering. We now need the pollinators to do their job. Fortunately, there seems to be plenty about.
The ornamental cherry trees in the park look spectacular. It’s a pity that the display is so short-lived.
At Temple Newsam the first of the rhododendron flowers are opening.
Later-flowering narcissi and dog-toothed violets are adding drifts of yellow and white to the palette.
During last week’s visit to Temple Newsam, Ruby made a new friend.
At Nostell, the bluebells are beginning to carpet the wooded areas. It’s a pity that the blue tends to wash out in photographs.
The ground at Nostell bears evidence of how dry the conditions have been over spring.
All the gates at Nostell have been fastened open and there is no sign of the electric fences being put up.
I had read that, in order to reduce their carbon footprint, the National Trust was stopping any farming on their land, so I guess that the cattle have been banished. I wonder where the farmer will now graze his animals. It will also cut the revenue for the NT and means that they will probably have to mechanically cut more grass.
That’s all for this week, I hope you had a good Easter and as always, stay safe and stay well.
I’m also going to sneak along and join Dave’s Harvest Monday, courtesy of those few sticks of rhubarb.
