There were starlings everywhere when I turned up, all over the car park, then on my fences. A couple had also worked out how to cling to the fence to eat the coconuts that I’d put there for the robin and blue tits.

The pond had held its water level, which was a great relief. The water is still down from the top and needs more to really look good.

I’ve finally sown a pot of chives with seed I collected a year or two ago.

I weeded Bed 7 and here and there around the plot. The parsnips have germinated quite well under their protection. I have a big space between the two rows and the wigwam and I’ve added short rows at the side of the bed of lettuce and radish. The seed is old though, so might not do anything and there’s still quite a gap that I don’t know how to fill in a little.

The Russian sage has clearly had it and I’ve replaced the second one with one of the over-wintered calendulas.

I’ve broadcast the final cornflower seed in a few places. I just need it – and the other seeds – to germinate and get going at last. The anise hyssop at home has stalled, so I’ve put some seed in a pot by the shed to give it another chance. I’ll do another tray at home too, this time from the seed that hasn’t been refrigerated.

I sowed the second rows of carrot and beetroot in Bed 10. The first couple of carrots are up now.

The everlasting peas are starting, so I’m trying to keep them propped up and free of weeds.