March

The slugs have been a problem. There are just too many this spring, even the birds aren't making a dent in the population. They've done a right old job on all our sweet pea seedlings; the leaves have been turned mosaic by their silvery, insatiable trail. We still planted them all out, even the ones that looked past repair, because we know from experience that if the roots of the sweet pea have grown strong, the new shoots will spring forth with tenacity and the whole plant will bounce back with abandon- basically, all is not yet lost. We will keep our faith that it will all be okay.

March turned with the spring equinox and the onset of days filled with equal rain and shine, allowing the blossom to uncurl. It's fields of slug-munched beauty out there now, with trees prettily in bloom and pools of daffodils below. Each narcissus has been just slightly nibbled, forcing us to lean back from florists' orders this spring.

We're turning to the nematodes for help in the hope that the slug-to-baby plant balance will be restored before our extra special Floret Original seedlings are big enough to be planted. The team over at Floret have been working hard to find ways for UK growers and farmers to access their brand-new varieties and has been trialling sending them over with phytosanitary certificates. We're so excited and grateful to have been sent a set from them, and now the task of tending to them has begun. If the slugs don't get to them (I feel sick even at the thought of losing them now), we'll document all their beauty and share it with you. Their germination rates were joyfully impressive, and the pricking out began yesterday.

We began our spring seed sowing just last week after the spring equinox had passed. Most things germinate much better when it is finally, officially spring. I hope you've been sowing your seeds and enjoying watching them germinate; the pleasure of peering into the dirt to see little specks of green hope is the best of spring feelings. Let us know what's been working for you and what hasn't- we love to hear it all.