With the sun and rain we have had over the last few weeks the flowers and weeds are looking healthy. I have lupins in pink, white and purple, poppies in orange, little round buds of the peonies ready to burst open in pink, white and burgandy and irises in mauve.

I am declaring chemical war on the bane of my gardening life, a weed which has come up every year and consumed much of my time. Last weekend I dropped in at a garden centre with a piece of the bane and asked for advice. I was directed to Mrs Schmidt’s office. Mrs Schmidt was not available but Mr Schmidt leaned back in his ample chair and peered at the bane. He did not know what it was but promised me he would find out. I don’t care so much what it is, just how to be rid of it.

Last summer my dad dug loads of it out, last month I dug loads of it out. As soon as the rain clears I am going to spray it, paint it, inject it if necessary. Then I am going to fill the spaces with pretty things.