Green Fingers

Corrr what a cold snap! - Lets hope this is gone by the long Easter weekend. I want to get back out in the garden!

Question for all you wildlife experts.
I found a ladybird on a cushion (yes, indoors!) this morning. I have carefully placed the cushion half outside through the patio doors, but it's refusing to budge, even when the sun comes out.

Isn't it rather unusual to see a ladybird at this time of year?
Should I wrap it in a blanket to keep it warm?
It keeps wandering back in!

@Paul, as you know from FB, I had lunch at the Swan, Maybury (on the border of Cheshire and Shropshire) yesterday. The gardens (and food and wine!) were fantastic, and there were a lot of butterflies (including the Red Admiral on the side of my car when I was about to leave). 🦋🍷😇💙

I have seen my first Red Admiral butterflies of 2021 today - I was beginning to give up on them - but, if there are any about, they can't resist a buddleia.

Just a few pictures from the garden, before the thunderstorms hit over the weekend - there is even beauty in the flowers of the humble potato. In order, a Shamrock, Eye Of The Tiger and Many Happy Returns roses, a Peony, a rose (which will rename un-named until I can read its label) and the flower of a Charlotte potato.

I don't know what has come over me. This morning I was pleased that it was raining when I woke up (?!!), as my garden and lawns need the water!

I have also been popping outside between showers to dead head my hanging baskets and move some of my (many!) Dahlias and Cosmos. They were taking over my "seating area" and when there was no room to put my Pimms down (let alone room for my table!) I decided that enough was enough!

My battle to remove the dead honeysuckle to make room for my portable greenhouse. It's never dull here!

So I have completed the next step "pricking out" my Dahlia and Cosmos seedlings. The Dahlias seem fine but the Cosmos were floppy, so I spent ages (and I mean ages!) propping them up with cocktail sticks, which was very laborious and incredibly fiddly! Only to discover when catching up with Gardeners World (I am a couple of weeks behind!) that Monty says it doesn't matter if they are floppy at this stage!

I realise I should have caught up before using the cocktail sticks (hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?) however at least I will have the straightest Cosmos in Saddleworth (and possibly the world!)

I didn't realise that a pack of seeds would grow so many plants - they are taking over my conservatory! So I have ordered a portable greenhouse. When Monty said "I'm going to grow a few Dahlias why don't you join me?" it seemed like a good idea. I didn't realise they were going to take over my home and my life! 😉🌱🌷🤞

Well my seeds are coming along nicely. I will have to watch Gardeners World to see what to do next! 🌱💐🤞