January ended on a cold note with two nights of hard frost, plus a small scattering of snow. Thankfully, it caused no lasting damage in the garden.
The seasons are constantly shifting, and Spring is early again this year. In the past week, temperatures have soared to 17 degrees!
These miniature Narcissus emerged in January, and are still providing a joyful display:
Other spring bulbs in full bloom include Crocus and Muscari.
Lenten Hellebores are early too:
Snowdrops have said “Hello,” and “Goodbye” to their neighbours Pulmonaria and Bleeding Heart.
Tulips are peeking above ground, and some flowers are appearing:
Removing Dead Growth
I have made a start on my list of spring jobs. The first was removing dead growth from around my perennials. This Day Lily was very happy to shed the old and embrace the new:
I deliberately leave this job until spring, as the old growth provides much needed winter shelter for mini-beasts.
To Do List
- My compost bin needs emptying, to be spread amongst the most needy plants ,
- My climbing Roses need pruning and feeding,
- I have seeds to sow once the soil is warmer…
All will be accomplished, and shared in future posts.
A Natural Tonic
No matter how I feel as I step outside, I ALWAYS feel terrific after a spot of gardening.
Coco my neighbour’s cat, is an avid garden lover too!
Until next time, happy gardening.
Watching the Daisies 
I just love seeing the first signs of spring. Always lifts the heart 🙂
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It sure does Alice. Thankfully, it was a very mild winter.
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Ah. Just the sound of “Donegal” and “garden” brings joy to my heart. I miss Ireland so! My garden is months away from awakening here in Saskatchewan, Canada.
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I hope you get a chance to return Irene. Canada is a beautiful country too.
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this brightened my day Brigid, and the cat seems to be smiling in approval
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Thank you Gina. Coco is a charmer. She and her friend Buster always make me smile!
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such lovely companions i am sure! too cute!
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You are going to be busy! Thank you for the beautiful pictures. We are buried in snow, nice to see some green! 💜
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Hi Kim. I just pruned and fed my roses this afternoon. The weather is all topsy turvy! I hope the snow melts soon.
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I’m getting so excited to lose myself in your garden pictures this season again! The snow has to melt sometime (I hope) but it won’t be soon. 😊💜
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I have so much awe for you Brigid (and my Mom) for you both are naturals in the garden. There is no doubt that you both put so much love, sweat, and sometimes tears.. in to your flowers, but the bounty always makes it so worthwhile. Thank you for sharing, always. I am lifted up by your posts. Andrea xo
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Thank you Andrea. My garden is my go to therapy! I pruned and fed my roses this afternoon. It was such a joy. Say hello from me to your mum.
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💞🌺💞
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Ohhhhh I needed to see this today. We are still buried under snow and cold here in the Midwest. Thank you for sharing the signs of spring. 💐
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It seems the weather is rather strange everywhere Alexis. This is yet another early spring here in Ireland. I am very thankful for a mild winter. x
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Hello to all your flowers. They are some of my most favourite things in this world. I always wonder at the love of God to provide us with such delicate creations. And thanks to you for posting photos of some of them which I’ve never seen..
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Thank you. I always enjoy sharing my flowers. They bring me such pleasure. My tulips are in flower today and well ahead for this time of year.
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Aw Coco is cute, does he have some ginger to the side of his face? Sweetie, glad you get a little helping hand and company from the feline neighbour. The Day Lily looks so much better refreshed, and it’s lovely to see flowers blossoming already 🙂
Caz xx
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Hi Caz. I will tell Coco you said Hello. She has all kinds of colours in her coat including ginger. She and her friend Buster call round every day. They are two cuties. xx
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I am glad to hear spring is coming, Brigid. 17 degrees sounds freezing to me.
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Spring is well ahead here this year (and last) Robbie. 17 degrees is way above our spring average. Great for working outdoors.
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Everything looks so healthy and colourful, I can’t wait to see your garden at different stages throughout the year 😊
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Thank you Elaine. I spent another couple of hours outside yesterday afternoon. Made the most of it as rain forecast from tomorrow.
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Looking beautiful. I did two sets of gardening, taking advantage of hot weather. Even cut the grass, clearing, loosening soil, and a bit of tidy up of rose bushes. Still a bit more to do. It is the earliest i have been in the garden for years in terms of it being feb. I hope i keep it up. Thanks for all the tips
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Thank you Bella. Spring is very early this year. I am so glad you got time to enjoy a bit of gardening. I got my roses pruned and fed yesterday. Very happy!
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🌷🌹😆
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Beautiful signs of growth bBrigid. Cocoa has lovely markings, beautiful
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Thank you Margaret. Coco is a sweet girl. She and a very placid boy cat called Buster visit every day.
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Sounds lovely 😺
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Your garden is such a happy place to be, Brigid! I started doing gardening a few days ago when the rain finally stopped and the sun peeked through the clouds.
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Thank you Miriam. It is a real tonic to get outside isn’t it? I got my roses pruned and fed yesterday, so getting well ahead this year.
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Great that you’re getting ahead this year. I got half of my roses done two weeks ago right after one rain when the soil was soft. I still have other parts of flower bed to do.
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Working & being in the garden is such joy Brigid! Your Garden looks beautiful, we are just about to enter our Autumn.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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Thank you Jennifer. Our seasons are changing here and this is a very early spring. I have been able to eat outside this past week. Such a joy.
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Lovely Brigid 😀
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Brigid, your garden is a treat and with this wonderful early warmth the flowers are a beautiful display. 🌺🌼 Gardening is a real tonic and I have spent a few hours the past days outside sorting, pruning, planting. So refreshing and revitalising! I look forward to seeing more of your ‘retreat’ in the coming days and months! X
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Thank you Annika. I am glad you are enjoying your garden too. It certainly gives us all a little glow after winter. x
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It makes me feel happy to see your photos, Brigid. It has been a severe winter in Maine with lots of storms, and cold temps. There is no let up in sight so I’ll enjoy spring through your photos until we thaw out here in the northeastern U.S.
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Thank you Molly. The weather is all topsy turvy worldwide. I hope you thaw out soon, and get a little warmth into your bones.
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that beautiful garden!
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Thank you Michele.
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What wonderful pictures. I love the care and attention you give to your plants.
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Thank you Jacqui. They give so much back to me, smiling and brightening my days.
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Oh, how beautiful! Spring really is coming, Brigid! Our tulips have just started coming up- a bit early, so will have to watch for freezes. Enjoy all your beauties! 🌺
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Thank you Jennifer. Yes, it is very early this year. It has been a real tonic. Hoping for another beautiful summer.
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Thanks for the photos Brigid, you are further a head than we are, our muscari are just appearing, but I am surprised that the snakes head lilies are beginning to bloom. Mind you This month has been exceptional weatherwsie. Thanks for sharing your garden. it is always a joy to see. Pxx
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Thank you Paul. The weather is most unusual. My tulips have even started to flowers – a few coral ones have already smiled. x
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Ah, a hint of Spring – very uplifting!
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It sure is! A real tonic for mind, body and soul.
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Gosh Brigid, your garden is even more advanced than mine – I would be very excited to see the tulip buds already! Have you ever had March tulips? I don’t think we have, but then it is so hard to keep track.
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Yes, it is well ahead here this year Ali. I don’t remember having tulips flowering March before – it must be a record. I have some lovely coral ones smiling today. More to come.
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I was so happy to find your blog again! And just in time for Spring. I’ve been meandering a bit this past six months, so I am happy to be back in the discipline of writing every day and becoming reacquainted with some of some old writing friends and some new ones.
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Great to have you back Barbara. Sometimes we just need to step back and take a break.
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Your spring is far ahead of mine, Brigid. That’s sort of nice as I can keep track of your garden chores and know what’s coming. I will be pruning roses soon, as soon as the sun comes out for a bit. Your flowers are beautiful. I love the return of color. 🙂
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Thank you Diana. Our winter was very mild so everything is well ahead. I got a bit of rose pruning done last week. Lots of rain forecast so it might be a while before I can catch up on other tasks.
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Beautiful Brigid. It may well be a long warmer spring summer. 🙂
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Hopefully Debby. Last year was awesome and a real tonic.
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Oh I didn’t notice that you posted this. I love the beginning of spring after a long winter, your garden is awesome and I love watching the progression as you post it. Beautiful.
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Thank you Masha. Spring is VERY early this year. I am so glad you enjoy my garden posts.
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How lovely to see those signs of Spring. Must be so heartening. Enjoy.
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Thank you Miriam. Looking forward to lots more time outside.
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Coco is gorgeous. We have had the early bloomings too but now we have wild winds and rain, it’s always the same for the poor daffies up here, but they are staying strong and our hellebores are so beautiful. xxx
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She is a cutie. Wind and rain here now too! So far, everything has survived. Hope your daffodils stay in bloom xx
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❤
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What a beautiful cat and don’t you just love hellebores? Your garden looks lovely and lush as if it’s just waiting for the warmer days to come…we are, too…we just had another snowfall but today the sun is shining!
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I have four cats who visit but Coco and her friend Buster come round most days. They are so sweet. We had high temperatures for 2 weeks but wind and rain for the past week on and off. Enjoy the sunshine.
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Nothing like the first buds of Spring that bring some sunshine into the soul.
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For sure Jacqueline. The poor souls have been lashed with wind and rain since then, but they have survived!
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Lucky you to be so far ahead of us with the garden. We still have snow and more to come this weekend. I loved your photos and post. Thank you.
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Thank you Mary Ann. We had a couple of very stormy weeks this month but thankfully my flowers survived. I hope your snow goes soon.
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Well, we hope it will soon be gone. Mother Nature’s fury still at work in Upstate New York this weekend! There are signs of spring in between though. ^__^
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I really enjoyed this post-thank you!
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Thank you. I do a regular garden post. I will be posting again next Wednesday.
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