In the morning, I went to the plot – two days into the Easter weekend! The red and yellow tulips look good, but I think I’ve lost the cream/pink ones. The pear tree has blossomed and the onions have sprouted in both beds. What I thought were blind new tulips now have flower heads and look rather like alliums so far.

I cut the grass around the pond slabs and the ones at the gate. I put some of the larger bits of turf outside the gate to make a start on bringing the level up a bit where the mole has ruined things a bit. I did the first mow of the season on 3. If I’ve got it in me, I’ll try a 2 tomorrow. The ground still feels so uneven, even as the grass gets shorter.

I took down all the Veronica stalks as the new growth has appeared. I also noticed the first new shoots on the helianthus, so I filled a bucket with those stalks. I expect another bucket could be filled with what’s left.

In the afternoon I sowed:

• 30 x French marigold
• 30 x Early Winder Mix zinnia
• 8 x Incredible sweetcorn
• 6 x Roma tomatoes
• 6 x Red Alert tomatoes
• 6 x Soleo sunflowers

A bit late, but not too bad. They’re inside for now. I’ll put the grow house up when the wind disappears, then most can go in there with lids on.

I still need to sow some Rudbeckia. Other flowers for the patches will probably be broadcast, assuming I’ve got the seeds in the shed.