It’s that time of year. The time of year when gardeners get all fizzy with excitement and motivation, especially on a day like today when you can actually smell spring in the air. You can feel it in your bones, it’s elemental. There’s a softness in the air, the light, the sounds. Like nature’s heaving a big, happy sigh of relief.
Seeds I ordered arrived in the post this morning: Cosmos, Tithonia, nasturtiums, marigolds, Cerinthe major, sunflower, scabious, Ammi visnaga, Nicotiana alata ‘Lime Green’, cornflowers… Colourful packets each containing miniature wonders of nature. I find seeds fascinating – each one contains a tiny, immature plant, an embryo. Imagine that! These dry, lighter-than-a-feather, tiny husks contain baby plants. They can lie dormant, some for years and years, but give them the correct conditions and they will grow into magnificent plants, providing us with beautiful blooms or food (or both). I still find it astounding that I can push seeds into compost, water them lightly, leave them for a week or two and (fingers crossed) tiny shoots will appear, leaves will unfurl, roots will dangle out of the holes at the bottom of pots, stems will grow thick and strong. I do get quite attached to any seedlings I manage to raise and find myself talking to them as I pot them on or move them outside to harden them off. Tell me that’s normal? Anyway, it’s time to get going, get sowing and prepare for the growing season. Yippee.
In other news… My daughter, my youngest child, will be 12 at the weekend. My spring baby is growing into an amazing young woman. I clearly remember those dazed days after she was born, standing with her nestled into my shoulder looking out into the garden of our old house, noticing the sunlight on the spring flowers, listening to the birds singing and thinking what a wonderful world it is.
Wishing you a weekend full of sunshine in whatever form it takes. There’s going to be a party here; a house full of 11- and 12-year-old girls. I’ll be escaping into the greenhouse if I can.
acoastalplot 
It’s been an absolutely cracking day today to be outside. The birds have been singing and my seeds are popping up in the greenhouse. Get to it girl, Spring has sprung!
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You’re a brave woman, Sam, hosting a house full of 11 & 12 year olds ;-). Happy birthday to the birthday girl. Yay for seeds and I love your loo roll idea, which I shall borrow for my sweet peas xx
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So much excitement to come!! I will enjoy seeing it as your garden grows. Happy Birthday to your daughter! I hope it is a great celebration!! xx
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It’s a wonderful time of year for gardeners isn’t it. I went down to the bin at the end of the garden after lunch today and before I knew it I was filling trays with compost and sowing all manner of things. Lime green nicotiana sounds divine, must look for some of this. I remember walking in my new garden when my littlest was just born. Somehow I dug out raised beds and filled them with vegetables and flowers so that when he was born we walked up and down past the sweet peas and things. That reminds me, I must find some sweet pea seeds, I haven’t put any in yet. So much to do! I hope your daughter has a wonderful birthday. CJ xx
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I got the green nicotiana seeds from Sarah Raven. Haven’t seen it anywhere else.
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Wow that rhubarb photo is amazing! I had no idea what it was until I read the caption. I love images that make you rethink how you see everyday things!
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I hope it’s a wonderful party x
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What a fabulous photo of the rhubarb. It amazes me how an enormous plant can grow from such an unpromising seed. Hope you find a little corner of peace and quiet over the weekend.
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Congratulations to your daughter and wishing you a happy weekend with hopefully time to sow so more seeds. I sowed some Windsor sweetpeas last weekend, we shall have to compare our results! Sarah x
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Wonderful photographs – especially the photograph of the rhubarb. Thank you.
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I love your close up shots. And many happy returns to your daughter! I hope she enjoys her party.
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Beautiful photos – I especially liked the seeds. Gosh you can feel the expectation of a new growing year upon us – it really is very exciting. Hope your special birthday girl had a lovely day and party. Have a great week Sam.
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I agree with the other comments on the rhubarb shot–it’s quite amazing. We have been having lovely spring weather here in Maine and I’ve been busy pruning our ancient apples. My southern windows are full of seedlings germinating in a rush to the sun. Normal to talk to them? Well, it is for me. I become so attached to the little lovelies that I apologize to the ones that I have to thin. I feel so ruthless.
Happiest of birthdays to your daughter!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one 🙂
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Stunning photography,Sam.
Fizzy garden feelings here too, it all feels such a wonderful relief.
Happy Birthday to your Baby Girl.
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