I'm Way behind on my winter jobs. - There's normally loads of frosty days when i've got time in the mornings, if not all day to finish up finances, sort seeds and catalogue camera shots. This year, no frost that's lasted past 9am.

The result

No winter jobs, but we're well into the Spring weeding. The perennial bed, - all 250 square metres of it is clear of weed, and thickly mulched.

there are lots of beds of overwintered Annuals coming along very nicely - (and some like the Cerinthe have done rather too well, - lots of thinning out there needed)

There are flowers starting to show, - Again some of these are putting in an appearance too early.

Although it hasn' all been rosy, - there are always things sent to try us.

Having caught a whole famly of mice - 8 of them (we hope that's the whole family) we may now be able to plant the sweet peas safely this weekend. It's too late for my crocus, and several rows of the Anemones.

Soon it will be time to start planting seeds, and the 2014 season will start again in earnest. -

Winter jobs........ - There's always next Winter.

It's a week since Valentine's day. - If you were lucky enough to get British Flowers for your bouquet, then the flowers will be just over a week old since they were cut. They are likely to be still be alive, but after being in fresh, outside conditions for most of their lives coming inside to your living room or Kitchen will be something of a shock. - Here's how to make your flowers last that bit longer.

This is my bouquet, - i've been away for a couple of days, and it's been in the kitchen. - it's run out of water, and I didn't get round to cutting the hand tie.

The tulips have carried on growing, so what was originally nestled in the bouquet, is now flopping. There are some Narssisus that have had too long without water, and some of the foliage is looking a bit yellow.

So i've taken out anything that is dead or looking brown. - I've moved the tulips down in the bunch, so that they are once again snuggled in amongst the other flowers.

The next step is to cut the ends of the stems, so that they have a chance of taking up water again.

Scissors are fine for most bulbs and flowers, but foliage may need secateurs. You can cut on a slant, - this is meant to aid water take up, - but i've not found any difference, so mine all just get cut to the same length so that they fit square in the vase.

Take off anywhere between 1 and 3 centimetres depending on the type of flower. - this may mean that your vase is now too tall, and you need to change container. - Or maybe put something in the bottom of the vase to raise the flower level.

Clean out the vase, - I use a splash of bleach and a bottle brush to make sure there is no slime that can make the water turn colour. - Then fill with clean cool water.

You've now got a bouquet that will hopefully last another few days at least.

I never let my husband buy me flowers for Valentines day in the past. - I've always hated the thought that they are flown in from over 4000 miles away. - I saw a horrifying statistic last week that said all the components added together in a Valentine bouquet had flown 33,000 miles. They can't possibly all be picked on the same day, so how old are they by the time they get to you? What will they have had to do to them to make them last?

Now it is true that Red Roses don't flower in February in England, so if your Valentine has to have that particular symbol of your undying love, then I can't help you. However, if you'd like to say I love you without it costing the earth, then this is the range of cut flower arrangements that Plantpassion are offering for local delivery and collection next Friday the 14th.

The Bouquet

Using wonderfully scented Narsissus, Tulips, Alstroemerias and local foliage, our traditional hand tied bouquet, wrapped without plastic - £35.00

For those wanting to make a statement, or who have a special dinner planned- our Table Centre arrangement - includes the vase. - £60.00

and if your budget is more modest but you still want British Grown with love, then we have our Jam jar posies. - (this can also be done in Red and white if desired) £20.00

Prices all include delivery to East Horsley, West Horsley, East Clandon, West Clandon, Ripley, Send, Cobham, Effingham and The Merrrow Side of Guildford. - Please ask if you border those areas, we may be able to deliver for a small charge.

Orders as soon as possible please, by Wednesday 12th at the latest. - By Phone, 07813 456865 by email claire@plantpassion.co.uk, - or via the website.