This is such a busy time in the garden. The risk of frost is nearly over and everything needs planting out in the garden and the veg plot. The spell of nice weather has produced a gardening marathon. It's very satisfying to see the veg plot populated  and lots of plants into the borders with the promise of colour to come later in the year. We garden for the pleasure of the garden we create, but pause, as I think gardening is more than just physical and creative activity.

Yesterday, I paused to enjoy the sun and watched a pair of Robins attracted by the newly dug patch of earth and it's offerings. The male checked us out, decided we were no threat, and bobbed down to nick a worm or two, singing away as he did and joined by a wren whose beautiful melodic song soared taking my spirits with it. A moment of stillness, the simple pleasure being outside and watching birds; its not just the exercise, gardening feeds the soul; for thousands of gardeners it is therapy, outside and close to nature.

 But back to work, the patch has been dug in readiness for a wildflower area.  There is a quick and very easy way to make a wildflower patch using a pre impregnated mat which is explained in detail on the wildflower  page and looks really good, but expensive. This worked very well and looked fantasic, flowering for a good period of time but not cheap and so only suitable for a small area.

This year I am going to grow only one pre germinated mat, and along side it sow a mixed wildflower seed from one of the garden centres or on line to see how they compare as the seed will be cheaper. More about this later in the Blog, for now I'm back out to the birdsong.

If you have a gardening question, need free advise on what to plant where or problems identifying a plant

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This time of year, early spring,  is a great time to visit Guernsey. I visited for the first time and loved it. As gardening is my passion, I like to go on holiday where there is some gardening interest and Guernsey didn't disappoint.

 I found Guernsey unspoilt, abundant in wild flowers and beautiful scenery. Clearly Guernsey islanders are keen gardeners and there was lots to be seen over the garden walls. 

We took advantage of the quiet country lands going walking and cycling along  Ruettes Tranquille and pedestrian only routes.  Such a treat to cycle up lanes with so much less traffic and as a bonus, the hills are modest. Many of the lanes had hedges of wildflowers, honeysuckle and Escallonia.  

 The island's peace and quiet, combined with a beautiful natural landscape, captured me.  More about Guernsey and for some great Guernsey images to see more about the island check out pinterest sunday gardener board

Before planting sweet peas water them well before you start.  Sweet peas are ready to plant when they have well-developed roots (image second left) and be several inches tall. Sweet peas are tougher than they look and will tolerate it cold, and even a touch of frost, if hardened off, but I still find to get them off to a good start don't plant during a cold wet spell. Sweet peas are very greedy plants;  they need a lot of plant energy to grow tall and produce endless blooms. Dig out a planting trench and fill it full of good quality compost. Place the Sweet Peas in and cover with more compost and firm in well. As with all planting it is important not to have any air pockets which impedes the growth of the roots.  Once firmed in, water well again to settle plant and soil.

Sweet peas grow tall, 1.5 -2 metres and need a framework to grow up. An obelisk was used planting these sweet peas, trellis  or netting will do as well. At this very early stage it's good to give the plants a helping hand and tie the young plants into the frame to start them off scrambling up it.

When growing sweet peas it's very important to keep dead heading as this encourages the plant to continue producing flowers.  Also the tendrils, which look like a climbing aid, are really a problem in disguise. The tendrils will hook onto other parts of the plant and will cause the plant to bunch up and eventually to get tangled. Remove tendrils to keep the plant growing upright and to produce long-stemmed blooms.

In the event we have a dry summer, water is essential to the health of sweet peas. More about growing sweet peas

The  Marsh Marigold  is  a fully hardy spring flowering bog plant which  will only thrive in damp conditions and with some sun. Easy to grow and to get  established.

 Clematis armandii along with Clematis Montana is  an early flowering variety.  As a group clematis are not easy, but very rewarding, and a real garden favourite.

Each have specific growing requirements click here for detailed advice on growing Clematis

Hyacinthoides  (Bluebell) a woodland plant  which likes moist well drained soil and dappled shade and will multiply once established.

 Rhododendrons are  a large group of shrubs from dwarf to giant and are which are generally easy to grow as long as the soil tends to be acid .

If the  soil is not acid the smaller varieties can be grown in pots filled with Ericaceous compost.