Winter 2017–2018 has been a long haul, albeit one interspersed with some lovely sunny days.

Then, when it looked to be over, we had our extended visit from the unpredictable Beast from the East, a relative of whose is threatening another unwelcome visit this weekend.

The Beast was no match for my Cristo garlic, however, whose shoots made a convincing appearance this week.

No sign of the shallot shoots yet, but I checked a few of the bulbs and they look in good condition. Hopefully, they’re just taking their time coming out.

Today I moved my first lettuce seedlings outside under fleece, joining the first potted radishes, which are growing nicely under a cloche.

I also planted a pot of Early Nantes carrots under a cloche, and some Rodelika variety carrots under a cold frame in one of the raised beds.

Inside, I’ve some Calabrese Broccoli seedings at secondary leaf stage, and coriander and flat leaf parsley soaking up with sunshine on a south-facing windowsill. In a month or so, I’ll introduce them to the outside world.

On the subject of broccoli, my one remaining purple sprouting broccoli plant continues against the odds in a pot. I had removed it from the bed and isolated it as it was overcome by caterpillars. It’s made a remarkable recovery, and unlike the other broccoli plants, has never bolted – presumably this is to do with the limitations on its growth imposed by life in a pot.

Our youngest dog Pip, is a big fan of this plant, and regularly likes to munch a floret or leaf.

Also making a welcome post-winter recovery is the potted lemon balm.

And finally, our potatoes are ready to go out, I just want to wait till we’ve seen the back of the snow risk before taking them outside.

It’s all very happy-making.