The threat of frost is not quite over, our Turtle Mats are still adorning our windscreens, tufty-side down to keep them ice free (thanks for the tip Susan), but there is definitely more of a spring in our step.

The Turtle Mat garden, although quietly coming to life, is seeing some impressive bird activity already. Amongst our usual winter visitors – finches, robins and blue tits, we have spotted yellow hammers and a great spotted woodpecker, so twitching here is almost a full time job!

We’ll try to keep you up-to-date on our visitors in future posts, with a few snaps if they’ll stay put long enough.

We missed the opportunity to plant bulbs in autumn so the garden isn’t as colourful as it could be – we’re reliant on several different coloured Cornus for a bit of zing.

We’re thinking daffies for next year so if any of you have any favourite varieties you could recommend – please let us know by commenting on this post.

At home, us “turtles” are having a little more success with bulbs – Susan’s snowdrops are beautiful, and Becca’s late daffodils (all white) are creeping through, which she can’t quite believe having planted them so late.

I know we might be slightly biased but our Turtle Mats have really worked hard this autumn/winter, especially with the heavy Cotswold mud. Another quick tip from us – older Turtle Mats make great weed suppressors as well as protection for tender exotics (such as palms) over winter – again tufty-side in.

Here’s our favourite link at the on all things spring: http://www.wildaboutgardens.org