It’s officially Springtime! Here’s what to look out for.
Although it may feel hard to believe, following the excessive winds and rain, hail and even sleet, that we’ve had in Beaminster lately – but the 1st of March officially signalled the start of the meteorological Spring in the UK (and right now, we’ll take whatever signs of Spring that we can get!). And it’s no secret – the bulbs are blooming, the roses are blossoming, and leaves are starting to bud on our trees and shrubs. And if you follow the updates from the team at Little Groves, you’ll see that they too are getting ready for Spring – from sustaining wintery herbs to use in your favourite casserole, to pots of blooms to brighten up your front door.
And because Spring is a beautiful time of year in Dorset, we thought we’d put together a few things to keep a lookout for, if you’re ready to venture outdoors.
- Spring Flowers
It doesn’t take a lot to see the beautiful Spring bulbs making their appearance. Daffodils have been saying hello since January and nothing signals the arrival of Spring more than Mapperton’s open gardens and Snowdrop Sundays. Crocuses are peeping through the grass, but it’s in April when the woods in the UK truly burst with colour when the bluebells make their appearance. Take a stroll through Hooke Woods where carpets of blue and lilac form the base in the shade of the amazing trees that grow there, and just as soon as they appear, they disappear. So, don’t miss the chance to see these in all their glory! And if you’re on the hunt for something for your own garden, don’t forget that Mapperton’s Spring Charity Plant Fair takes place in April (with free entry into the gardens) and Little Groves Nursery in Tunnel road offers some fantastic advice and inspiration too.
- Bumblebees
If you have taken advantage of the short bursts of recent sunshine, and you’ve started getting your garden ready for Spring and Summer planting, you would have already spotted a gardener’s favourite – the beautiful bumblebee. And while we welcome their return to our gardens, remember that with these up-and-down temperatures, the flowers and nourishment they need may not be readily available. So – while you’re planning your garden, remember to plan for things that would keep these little legends fed and nourished too. Native UK plants are best as they’ve coevolved with the indigenous bumble bee, and will provide heaps of nourishing nectar that will sustain these little guys for a long time. Bumble bees are under threat and we need to help. Many bumble bees nest underground in holes made by larger animals, while others nest above ground in abandoned bird nests, grass tussocks or cavities such as hollow logs or spaces beneath rocks.
- Earlier mornings and the Dorset Chorus
Take the time and wake up a little earlier to catch the Dawn Chorus in full swing. These feathered alarm clocks have been waking us up for years – but so important has their chirrups and squawks become, that there is even an official “International Dawn Chorus Day” being celebrated on Sunday, 3 May, as part of the Wildlife Trusts’ initiative to celebrate this phenomenon that takes place all over the world. So, now that the sun is appearing a little earlier each day, why not plan your wake up a little earlier too – and take in some of the beauty that belts out throughout the hills, valleys and woods of Beaminster.
- Lambing Season
Lambing season is fully underway and nurseries are already packed with the latest 2020 models of springing lambs ready to explore the world. But it’s not over yet. The typical lambing season usually peaks in March, April & May – but from what we’ve seen, a few early sprogs have been making their appearance since mid – end of January already. So, if you’re walking with dogs, now is the time to ensure that they’re kept under control when venturing through farmlands and fields. With the warmer weather and sunshine, farmers tend to set the lambs and their mums out into the fields, so when you’re walking with your dog, please keep them under control at all times.
Do you have a favourite Spring thing to do? Get in touch and let us know about it.
