Today I tackled the Loganberries. Cut out dead canes, tied in the loose ones and trimmed some down, weeded around the bases - I seem to have two main clumps - did I originally plant 2? - plus some self rooted extensions at the east. I cut and dug out a couple of extension roots and put them on the extra bit of wire down from the corner - suspect they might not take as they only rooted last year and not very much - the ones that are growing well seem to take off in the second year having spent the first year attached to the parent.

Pulled out a lot of nettles with roots as far as possible, hope to keep on top of them this year.

Signs of spring abounding - the Gueldar Roses all have leaves opening, the Ribes Oduratum and the other Ribes both have leaf burst and the second one even has flowers. In the tunnel the Apricots have buds just breaking and one has a single tiny blossom. The Strawberry tree looks very poorly - judging by what I saw in the South of France in October it needs warmth and a sandy dry soil - neither of which can I offer it. Oh dear. The bay that we had in a pot and was dying still has all its leaves yellow but is showing signs of shoots. Vranja Quinces have leaf buds bursting and the Breadfruit and Sops-In-Wine apples have buds expanding. Eilidh as previously noted has green buds as does crab apple no1. No2 is a bit behind it. The Eleagneous have leaves forming - will it flower at a sensible time this year and maybe produce fruit? ...