It’s quite satisfying when perennial flowers come back. I might think I haven’t done enough gardening/adding new plants over the past year but truth is I’m seeing the benefits of the work over the last six years.

Things have been mistakes I’ll admit, or there were things I needed to do to make plants happy. But I’m not a gardening expert and I’ve never said I am, but I’ve realised along the way that there are things I’ve been working against that would be a problem for even the expert gardener.

I’ve got a way to go but I’m learning and there are lots of good things I’ve learned along the way. We are closer to getting a replacement for the dilapidated sheds we inherited with the property and we have a better area for a barbecue than we have ever had before. It at least captures some of the late afternoon sun.

I’ve improved the soil in lots of areas and ironically I’ve discovered that many of my garden nemeses don’t like good soil. I might move the veg beds and take a more scientific look at the soil in those cos I’ve got to say if I make them a bit finer sandy mixture I can try carrots again. Lovely sweet little carrots would appeal!

I need to work out what I can do with the black thorn berries. There are lots in bud… and I need to work out how to protect the plums this year.

Onwards and upwards!