We have woken this morning to a thick fog, but this week we have enjoyed mild temperatures and spots of sunshine, in which the garden has woken from its slumbers like a Sleeping Beauty. Bluetits are excitedly flitting around the garden like a blooming Disney film. Whisper it softly, but it feels like Spring is here.
For this week’s Six on Saturday, I have chosen six things that start with the letter ‘B’ joining in with the Boss, The Propagator. Bravo to this brilliant meme!
- Blossom
What surer sign of Spring than the first blossom? The buds on the ornamental plum which our neighbour planted between our two steps to stop people leaning on the rickety hand rail are popping into dazzling pinky white flowers against ebony branches.
2. Beds
I have finally started clearing out and forking over the four raised beds in our front garden. Two down, two to go. In the second I discovered six sweet pea seedlings, so I have saved these and hopefully they will grow alongside the beans I am planning to put in the beds this year.
3. Bindweed
As I was digging over the beds, I came across my old enemy bindweed, which is already laying down its long pale white fingers underneath the soil, preparing for its next attack. Last year, I tried putting this in bin bags, but the bin men took it out again and left it on the pavement, so I will just have to take it down to the green waste at the tip.
4. Boots
I bought these steel-capped boots to go walking in the Lake District with Mr Carrot when we first met nearly fourteen years ago. They have served me well and I now wear them mainly for gardening. We were taught on my horticulture course at Plumpton College that you must always wear steel-caps for digging. They fit snugly, keep my tootsies safe and I wouldn’t be without them.
5. Bergenia
I have featured this Bergenia before. We have two clumps of ‘Elephant Ears’ in our front garden and they always look a bit straggly and provide nice shelter for snails. On the plus side their pink flowers are quite jolly early in the year.
6. Buds
I’m cheating a bit by showing two types of buds. First up a rose bud, which seems unusual for February, on last year’s growth as you can see by the hips underneath. It is time to prune these roses in our front garden, but I am rather intrigued to see whether this bud will flower like the one next to it.
Last but not least are the buds and even the first flowers on our Clematis armandii, which seems rather early. Must look back to see when they first appeared last year.
The fog promises to lift here soon and give way to glorious sunshine. I would like to say I am going to spend the rest of the day in the garden, but instead I am chaperoning a bunch of seven to ten-year-olds in a production of the Wizard of Oz that my daughter is appearing in. Hopefully I will sneak in an hour or so’s digging in between minding the fledgling thespians. Happy Saturday and happy gardening!
Carrots and Calendula 
Crikey, you have suspicious bin men. You can’t beat blossom for heralding Spring. Pity it doesn’t last longer.
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Dont get me started with the bindweed. Won’t be long before I am at war with it. An annual battle. Such a pain, but quite satisfying to dig out when still small.
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I would rather have my bin of ivy and my bin (not shown this week)of mint roots than your bin of bindweed! However, I haven’t dug over the area where most of the bindweed featured last year so we shall see. I have lost two well established clematis this year so have bought a couple of replacements. Love that purple tubtrug!
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Bewitched by bespoke bundle of Bs (besides bindweed)
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My first thought when you mentioned b’s was the b’s that are slugs. Shows how my mind works. Your one negative b______d I’m not sure I’d swap for my slugs.
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It is gratifying to see that I am not the only one.
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Oh no Bindweed! That’s rough.
I battle with ivy and vinca so I have some idea……battle indeed. Enjoy your garden!
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I love bindweed, it is my favourite weed, in moderation of course. Loving your B’s especially “buds” 🙂
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I always have a soft spot for a Bergenia flower. Such pretty flowers.
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Your little plum blossom is lovely. The comment about steel toe caps made me wince! I always wear wellies to garden, and sometimes sandals. Something to think about! Uh, bindweed! I had a little invasion two years ago – it was cropping up in five or six locations. My children thought I was insane because no matter what else we were doing, if I spotted some I would get my spade and furiously start excavating. It worked though – fingers crossed – it didn’t reappear last year.
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Original Six with the B’s, one more word? … Beautiful “harvest” of bindweed! I have to check mine in my raspberries ….
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I was thinking of getting some Bergenia, but the comment about snail hiding place has made me rethink. As for bindweed, in one part of the garden I allow it to take off along with the brambles and nettles, but I loathe it when it winds itself around other flowers. I love your take on the SoS this week!
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Bindweed is awful to deal with. We have the same battle here. The plum is beautiful. 💗
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Thank you! I strangely enjoy pulling out bindweed 🤔
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Liked the video on sowing sweet peas and broad beans both lovely summer companions
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