The temperature, on Thursday, was just about perfect—just like one of those lovely summer days where it’s warm but not too hot. I’d happily take that all summer long. I’m not a fan of it getting too hot, and Ruby would definitely agree—she’s far more comfortable when it’s like that.
The nights, though, are a different story. When it cools down, we can head indoors or grab an extra layer—but the plants can’t uproot and go somewhere warmer, they just have to get on with it where they are.
After such a wet winter, it’s strange to now be dealing with a lack of rain. It was starting to feel a bit like déjà vu, and the watering can is back in regular use—especially now that planting season is underway.
Then Sunday, by contrast, was wet, with rain falling for much of the day. It wasn’t anything dramatic, but by evening we’d had around 20mm—more than the whole of April combined. Whether it will have made much difference to the soil remains to be seen.
There have been a couple of little “milestones” this week too.
At home and in the garden
We’ve started thinking about replanting the second border, although not much has happened yet, as we’re due to collect the new plants later this week.
One thing we have added is a Clematis ‘Rouge Cardinal’, which I’m really looking forward to seeing flowering once it gets going.
The tulips are still doing their thing in the patio pots, which is nice—they’re hanging on and keeping that spring colour going a bit longer.
But the real highlight at home? Our very first rose has opened. That always feels like a bit of a key moment.
At the allotment
The red onions have been a real success so far this year—we grow them from seed, and the germination has been brilliant. Last week we planted out loads of them. Because they were grown in fibre cells, we could plant them without disturbing the roots too much, which should help them settle in quicker.
We covered the first batch with an enviromesh tunnel to keep off onion fly and allium leaf miner, but we ended up with far more plants than space, so the rest went into another bed, uncovered. It’ll be interesting to see how the two lots compare.
Watering takes up a bit of time, but at least the pressure’s improved. It turns out the issue was caused by some nearby building work—someone’s extension or conservatory had actually squashed part of the pipe. Not something you’d immediately think of!
Another little milestone at the plot—the first potato shoots have pushed through. Always a good sign that things are properly underway.
Out and about
Everywhere you look at the moment, the hawthorn is in full bloom. 
From a distance, it really does look like everything’s been dusted with snow—but up close, you notice the tiny pink anthers and that distinctive scent.
Many of those bright yellow dandelion heads, from the previous week, have now turned into fluffy “dandelion clocks”, just waiting for a breeze to lift and carry their tiny seeds away like parachutes.
The “clock” idea comes from the way children used to blow the seed heads and count how many puffs it took to clear them, chanting “one o’clock, two o’clock…” as they went. I wonder if children still do that today.
Have you ever noticed the ribbons of dandelions that seem to line motorway verges? The slipstream from passing traffic is perfect for scattering the seeds far and wide. It’s no wonder dandelions are so successful—they’ve turned even speeding cars into part of their distribution system.
Temple Newsam
The trees are looking especially good right now, all that fresh spring green. I always think this is when they’re at their best.
The rhododendrons are just starting, but the azaleas are really stealing the show. Because they flower before the leaves come out, it’s just pure colour—nothing else to distract from it. From a distance, it almost looks like the borders are glowing.
We also passed by Home Farm, where they keep some rare breeds, including the Bagot goats. Apparently, they’re one of the oldest and rarest breeds in Britain, with a story that goes back to the Crusades.
Nostell
There are some beautiful old trees in the parkland here, especially the copper beeches and the horse chestnuts.
Some of the chestnuts are 200–300 years old, which is quite something—although the oldest ones are coming to the end of their lives. I wonder just what they have seen across all these years.
At the moment, they’re covered in those lovely white “candles.” If you look closely, some flowers have yellow centres and others pinky-red ones. As they get pollinated, the colour changes—basically a signal to the bees about which flowers still need a visit. Nature really has thought of everything.
The swans are still on the nest as well. One of them looked to be carefully turning the eggs when we passed. With a five or six week incubation, we might not have too long to wait before we see cygnets.
Finally
We’re hoping to get started on planting up the new border this week, once we’ve collected everything on Friday.
I’m also wondering if the cygnets might hatch before the end of the week, although we probably have another week or two to wait.
There’s talk of frost towards the end of the week. If it does turn up, it’ll be interesting (and slightly nerve-wracking) to see whether the enviromesh gives the potato shoots enough protection.
As always until next time stay safe and stay well.
Lovely photos, it really is such a beautiful time of year especially when bathed in sunshine. And that rose – what a beauty!
Really hope the frost isn’t a bad one, though we will be fleecing up to avoid setbacks at this stage
I’ll be glad when the frosty nights are over, Belinda
When it hasn’t been mizzling it has been lovely, spring weather! I wouldn’t mind it like this all year around, and I don’t mind the night time temperatures either. Lovely tulips, did you know they are the flower of Parkinson’s UK? I am now off to indulge myself in several hours of the bizarre fashion spectacle that is the Met Gala 2026
I didn’t know that Debbie. I love the word mizzle!
I love to see all the greenery at this time of year, it’s so fresh and zingy while it’s all still new.
I do too,JO summer green is so flat in comparison.