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

Whether after flower blossoms, fruit and vegetables, herbs, or a combination of these, the spoils of a summer garden are well worth their labor. Invest some time sketching to scale what the garden should look like in full bloom.

Colors of flowers and leaves, height of mature plants, sun needs of plants, and the shape of the garden being planned should all be considered. Now that there is a goal in mind, it would be time to remove debris, pull out grass and weeds by their roots, but leaves may stay, as partially decomposed leaves are good fertilizer to till into the soil.

Most gardeners agree that the savviest time to add mulch, compost, or fertilizer into a garden is right before it is planted, since nutrients will seep through the soil with water drainage even in the fall and winter. Spread the nutrient of choice evenly and till it into the soil. Loosen the soil between six to twelve inches down.

If the garden was tilled in the fall this should be rather easy to do, however, loosening the soil for the roots to grow in is a necessary part of gardening, if not the most back breaking. Consider spreading the burden out by buying or renting a tilling machine, or make a plan to till sections of a garden over several days.

It is time to reevaluate the original garden sketch. Use a spade to create furrows, or divots where plants were first desired, to get a feel for the garden’s final plant placement. Finally, enjoy ordering the seeds and starter plants to fill in the perfect garden.

Remember also about preparing your home from dust and dirt that you might bring from the garden and try Turtle Mat Door Mats – the original dirt trapping mats.