This week has shown just how quickly the weather can change. During the week it has been warm and sunny, up to 17C and then an abrupt change to much colder weather with a very chilly wind.

What does this mean for gardeners?

Often we get caught out as it's not only frost which causes damage to tender young spring plants the chill wind does as well. Very tender veggies, like French beans have a tendency to shrivel in the cold and the new Ipomoea seedlings have withered in the greenhouse where they caught a draft and caught the Sunday Gardener off guard. Its hard to keep an eye on everything but sudden changes in weather are always a problem.

Still, should be OK to sow early seed potatoes and for more on growing Potatoes following the link.

A welcome sight, today the first bee of spring ambled by in search of food.Just a great sight and lovely to see at this time of year just buzzing through the undergrowth looking for early flowers. It's so important to provide for the bees, we now know how endangered they are and gardens and gardeners make a real contribution growing a diverse range of flowers for bees and butterflies. This photo is later in the year but lovely to see.

For ideas on shrubs and plant to attract bees into your garden follow this link

Its turning cold again, just when you think spring is about to arrive the temperatures are falling, frost has returned and the wind is bone cold. Any seedlings need to be protected at this tender stage  when they are vulnerable to the cold. Place under glass with either some heat to take the edge off the temperatures or  fleece to protect. This is essential and delay sowing any more seeds until the chilly period has passed. Information on seed packets is a guide only and depends where you are in the country and the weather conditions at the time.

Seeds are amazing and so exciting to see them germinate. This is a climbing bean seed emerging, still small and yet in a month's time will be a foot tall, its fascinating.

Spring seems close we have had a couple of warm days and suddenly it feels like spring, and yet we know snow could be round the corner.

The garden is waking up and so to are the gardeners. The Sunday Gardener has been sowing all sorts of seeds, veggies such as Broad Beans, tomatoes, Chilli, Courgettes, Pumpkins and lots of herbs; Dill, Parsley, Coriander, basil, Thai  Basil and more. This is a good time to get started provided you can grow on under glass as it's too early to plant out.

Growing annuals enables you to grow plants you rarely see in the garden centre such as Black eyed Susan, Love Lies Bleeding and the Cup and Saucer plant (see link)

If you have never grown veg from seed and would like to try, start with the easy ones which are Peas and all the Beans, Courgettes and Pumpkins. Place on seed in a loo roll holder and put in a warm place covered to generate moisture, preferably in a propagator. Once germination has occurred transfer somewhere light and frost free until conditions are suitable for planting outside. For more March tips