Although we are not quite at the end of winter, the growing season has well and truly begun. Narcissus and primroses seamlessly taking the baton from the snowdrops. The handover from spent hazel catkins to silver and pewter pussy willows. And the beginning of burgeoning greens everywhere and the first rashes of self-seeders appearing.

Over the weekends since new year I have been gradually getting the kitchen garden in order for the coming year. Clearing the beds of the remnants of last year’s crops and putting down a layer of protective mulch. During this process I take stock of what is still to harvest and start mentally planning the crops that will be taking their place this year. I start engaging with the loose crop rotation we have here.