Rain, bulbs and trying to get the autumn sowing done

This has felt like a very 2024 sort of fortnight: heavy rain, soggy borders and a lot of bulb thoughts.

I finally got some snapdragons sown when the weather gave me a break, and it was such a relief to make a start. Autumn always feels busy in a different way to spring, less frantic perhaps, but full of planning and preparation.

I have also been thinking ahead to tulips, ranunculus and all the expensive temptations that arrive at this time of year. Gardeners really do not get much respite from wanting one more thing.

When the weather is being dramatic I find myself looking back at the Amsterdam tulips and reminding myself why I happily get absorbed by all this. It always comes back to that vision of spring.