Mud, dahlias and finally getting the furniture out

Early May has arrived with all the promise of the season and quite a lot of mud. We had a proper thunderstorm here and the ground was so claggy I did question my timing on planting out dahlias, but in they went.

The last of the tulips are hanging on, the wallflowers are looking wonderful and the whole garden is beginning to shift from spring into that fuller late-spring feeling I love.

I had a lovely slightly soggy day out at the Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, which felt very on-brand for this year’s weather. There is something comforting about being with lots of other plant people even when everyone’s shoes are muddy.

I have also finally dragged the garden furniture out, which always feels symbolic. Once the table and chairs are back, it feels as though outdoor life is properly beginning again.