Tuesday 3 May

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An evening walk. The back field is being ploughed and seagulls flock behind the tractor. Over the noise of the engine, I hear geese. I look up, and an arrow formation crosses the sky. I can never remember if right to left or left to right is lucky, but I choose to believe they are a sign of good things to come.

Wednesday 4 May

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I have often spoken of the top road between Staple Hill and Wellington as my favourite road. I was wrong. I turn off the A303 to Wootton Fitzpaine and have to catch my breath. The narrow lane turns amongst banks which hold bluebells at eye level, passes through a perfectly circular tunnel of acid green beech leaves, and then reveals the Dorset landscape of rolling hills and patchwork fields in all its glory. Down a steep hill, past gates of peering lambs, over one of those up and down bridges that could have been out of a children's book, and into the village. Magical. It wasn't even the highlight of the day though. We have lunch in Bridport and I buy Westcombe ricotta which is the best sort of ricotta, and then we eat ice cream on the beach at West Bay. An entire holiday, packed into an afternoon. Because I was on holiday, I didn't even take my camera. (I was with Alice, The Wild Wood Moth, who takes wonderful photos, so feel free to look at hers.)

Thursday 5 May

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A biodynamic flower day. More nicotiana sown. More nigella. More Bells of Ireland because I was looking for some spelt pastry in the freezer the other day and found a little bag of the seed in a frosty corner. A bit late, but they'll either thrive or they won't.

Oh, and it is Maud’s birthday. Five. I was once told that Irish Setters stay puppies until they are six. I am counting the days.

Friday 6 May

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A family visit. A long, leisurely lunch and an afternoon walk up the hill and around the lake. The trees dazzle with their fresh new leaves. I forget to harvest asparagus for the lunch but secretly I don't mind too much. It is precious.

Saturday 7 May

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A wonderful post day. Milli Proust's new book and a whole box of dahlia tubers that I impulse bought having sworn I wouldn't. If you also have a copy of Milli's wonderful book and you are very eagle eyed indeed, you may have spotted one of my seed packets on page 21. If you don't have a copy, it is an excellent (i.e. incredibly knowledgeable and comprehensive) reference book and I highly recommend.

Sunday 8 May

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A gloriously sunny day. The heat of the last few days has made being in the greenhouse hard going so lots of young plants have been put in the queue for planting out. All the varieties of cosmos (unless you are a professional flower seller, you really do only need a maximum of four plants; they give a lot of flowers per plant). The larkspurs. Even the less precious of the aquilegias. Courgettes into the kitchen garden. Preparing beds is a lot of work, and there is something incredibly satisfying by seeing them all planted up.

I hope your garden is flourishing and that you have a wonderful week,