With the gardening year getting under way, I couldn’t do without my Cobrahead. It is a terrific hand tool that is both a precision weeder and a cultivator that gets into corners a hoe cannot reach.  Its other name – the steel fingernail - captures perfectly its versatility.  It’s available from www.plantsreunited.com for  £17.90.

There’s a 20% saving on Obelisks, Globes, Pillars and ornamental plant supports in CC Rustics winter sale. Their rustic garden structures are intended to support sweet peas, roses, clematis, honeysuckle vines and other climbing plants. The range of structures and sculptures are fully hand-crafted from solid steel bar which will rust and mature over time to a golden patina.www.ccrustics.co.uk

Sunday’s beautiful weather meant that I could do some proper gardening.  I  was out in the garden by 9.45am and didn’t come in until 3pm, and then only because we had to go out.  In my usual style, I went out intent on doing one thing and in fact did something entirely different.  Walking down to the greenhouse I got waylaid by the state of the shady bank on the edge of the path.  There were old hellebore leaves that needed removing and as I tidied around them I found the first cyclamen buds begging to be revealed.

One thing led to another and before I knew it I was rebuilding a terrace edge with lengths of branch recently cut from the tulip tree by the Ollie the tree surgeon.  The effect is extremely rustic but sturdy and it won’t be long before its deficiencies are disguised by new growth.  I did have fun!

This is a good time of year to buy garden furniture at reduced prices.  www.greenfingers.com is offering up to 50% off all of its ethically sourced FSC Garden Furniture, with free delivery on many items as well.

Mimosa Flowers are beginning to open.

Lemon Blossom in the conservatory.

Tiny cyclamen seedlings are springing up in the woodland area.