We have tiptoed into meteological spring but nothing has changed as far as the weather is concerned. It’s still very wet and at times also very cold.
See Martyn’s blog for more details on the weather
Two afternoons saw us venturing to the allotment. On the first afternoon, the work that was more or less the same as on our previous visit. Martyn emptied another compost bay
I concentrated on a raspberry bed. This bed was planted a few years ago. We planted several varieties but only two grew to produce a berry harvest. The row is planted through weed control fabric but we are going to remove the strip along the front so that we can improve the soil. The canes that I dug up the week before will be planted here and we will probably plant some annual flowers – maybe calendula – along the front. 
Despite the weather some of the bushes are in bud
Hazel catkins are also braving the elements.
Before we set off for home we dug a few more parsnips. We’ve had a bumper crop of parsnips this year – it’s just as well that we really like them.
On the second afternoon, we planned to tidy up the mixed perennial bed but we had to abandon the plan as the soil was so soggy. The only job we managed there was to cut back the black elder and a buddleia.
In a change of plan, I removed old leaves and runners from one of the strawberry beds. I would have hoed the soil between the plants but again the soil was too soggy.
Martyn had better success preparing beds ready for our first planting. These had been covered with weed control fabric and the soil was in better condition. Martyn was able to hoe the top layer so that when, and if it, eventually dries out it won’t form a crust.
He also strimmed the grass around the beds. Before we set off for home we harvested more parsnips and some leeks.
Flowers in the park are also trying their best to prove that it is actually spring, although the poor crocuses are suffering from a battering and the weather is often too wet and dull to encourage the flowers to fully open,
Blackthorn is always the first hedgerow shrub to flower. It can be mistaken for hawthorn but it is easy to tell the difference as blackthorn flowers on bare branches and hawthorn produces leaves before flowering.
When the blackthorn is flowering, the hedges look to be coated in snow but fortunately at present that isn’t the case. I’m hoping that it stays that way.
Some early ornamental cherry plum trees are also flowering.
When we had planned to go to Nostell it was raining so a trip seemed unlikely. Ruby knows when she is going out as we follow a similar routine so when things didn’t go to plan, she laid on the sofa with her chin on her paws looking so disappointed. (Don’t anyone tell me that dogs don’t have expressions).
Later the rain abated, so we decided to risk the walk and just get wet if the rain started up again. Of course, as we arrived at Nostell it was starting to rain but undeterred we carried on. Ruby always refuses to go out for a toilet break if it is raining but having a fun walk in the rain is no problem.
Some of the flooded areas had reduced but there were still plenty of puddles and mud. The fungi on sodden fallen, rotting tree trunks love the conditions
The groundsmen had been felling some trees leaving short stumps which a little dog just has to investigate. This time the trees hadn’t succumbed to the weather but to planned maintenance work.
The adult swans were swimming together on the lake but a young swan was keeping its distance. Last March the resident pair started nest building in March so unless the weather changes their schedule, any remaining offspring will soon be unwelcome.
We are always puzzled as to why we never seem to see any ducklings at Nostell. The ducks pair up and despite predation, we would expect some to survive,
Before we headed for the car we popped into the stable courtyard where a trough of daffodils looked lovely.
Nobody wanted to sit outside and partake of refreshments. It looked a sorry sight.
Martyn has posted a video of our walk and a soggy Ruby here,
Our hippeastrum/amaryllis is now flowering for the fourth year. The first flower stem has grown so tall that I had to move it from the windowsill as it had run out of headroom.
You may be able to spot a second bud amongst the leaves.
We keep having to turn the pot as the stem leans towards the light.
Finally some of last week’s meals that used our homegrown vegetables.
I made a bean and vegetable stew that used our shallot, garlic and carrots along with broad and French beans and red pepper from the freezer. This was served with mash made from our stored potatoes which are now beginning to grow.
Into a turkey and parsnip curry went our parsnips and onions. 
I made a batch of pasta sauce using our frozen tomatoes along with onions and carrots, I also added some mushrooms and celery.
Frozen green beans and peas were used in a chicken rice dish. I used one of our red onions instead of spring onion and also added some mushrooms which needed using up.
As always until next time stay safe and well.
I am joining Dave for his Harvest Monday post – courtesy of the parsnips- on his Our Haooy Acres blog.
Wow you were busy. I cleaned out a few flower beds today. I was going to plant some lettuce and spinach in the greenhouse as it was warm enough, but it is so icy outside. I was afraid I would slip and fall while trying to keep them watered. I went through my seeds and a few seed catalogues. I’m starting to have hope. Glad spring is close for you. The daffodils are so pretty. Thanks for sharing.
We have had a quiet week garden-wise Bonnie. Everywhere is still so soggy and no chance of any drying with the weather we are having. Take care on that ice.
Parsnips and leeks, yep that’s our harvest too but your parsnips look really good. I need to prep the soil a bit better to avoid so many funny shapes! It was a good year for them though.
Hope you’ve enjoyed a couple of dry days, as we have, and can get a bit more prepping done.
Our soil isn’t brilliant, Belinda but I think sowing pre-germinated seeds helped. We did have a couple of dry days but bot enough to do the soil any good.
Great seeing jobs getting done, especially sorting the black gold! I totally agree that dogs have expressions. Lovely seeing the water birds I do hope you see ducklings this year. Tasty looking meals as always.xxx
I just don’t know where yhe ducklings hide, Dina
You work very hard to grow your food! I think I have it quite easy here in San Diego. We travel to England in May and look forward to seeing some gardens on our tour. Sissinghurst and Great Dixter extend our stay. That strip of daffodils is gorgeous.
I hope our weather had improved by then, Sue
Things have actually gotten quite dry here, as well as warmer than usual. That looks like a goodly amount of compost too!
Stil mostly miserable nere, Dave. THere is two years worth of compost. We also compost the less pernicious weeds. Plenty of weeds will grow whether we spread compost from weeds or not
Good to see a few signs of Spring returning with catkins and the like. Poor disappointed Ruby! I agree about dogs having expressions. :My Gwennie and Girl dogs both used to smile! I’ve never seen a dog look more defiant, or guilty as Gwen was capable of doing!
Ruby’s disappointment was short lived, Debbie. This week she was chivvying me into the kitchen to get the lunch dishes sorted as she knows that after that we go out.