Peter Dowdall: Spring has sprung in our gardens

Masses of spring bulbs planted in autumn are starting to pay floral dividends

Signs of the new season: Flowers are announcing their presence, poking their heads up through a hard frost or a light dusting of snow. File picture

Whether you prefer to refer to February as late winter or spring, what’s for sure is that some of the days can be deceptive. Those frosty mornings give way to bright afternoons, only for the chill to return by evening. It’s on these so-called "pet days", those brief spells of warmth and light, that it is truly magical to be out in the garden.

The few months from October to now are relatively quiet in the garden. That’s not to say that there isn’t lots to do, for there is, but growth has stopped and we can take stock of the situation and get all the jobs done in preparation for the next season. That’s all about to change as the seasons move on.