Where is spring?!

FlowersFlowersEverywhere

I only have a few gardening ‘seasons’ under my belt and I’m just feeling so despondent.  

April was so so cold and nothing grew very much. Now we are well into May and we’ve been hit by very high winds and on and off rain most days (Hampshire). 

My clay soil is sodden. I can’t harden things off as many small plants not up to the winds. I can’t really plant out as the ground is so wet. Growth is slow. What is out there is getting blow side to side.

Is there still hope of recovery??! 

AnniD

In a word, yes. We just don't know when 
I'd put money on hosepipe bans by the end of August. Seriously though, it's surprising how things catch up eventually and settle down.
Extremely depressing at the moment though.

pansyface

Spring is so last year....

Fairygirl

Standard for here 
Our season is later, so it hasn't made much of a difference. Still been slightly colder than normal, but otherwise, everything is growing at the same time as expected. Toms are the exception for me, and won't go out to the greenhouse yet as it's still too cold in there at night. They would usually be able to go in there by now.

You have to accept that you'll have odd years when the weather is different, and adapt accordingly. 

didyw

The Chelsea Flower Show must be sighing with relief - it would have been a total washout if it went ahead as usual.  But an Indian summer in September? We (and the CFS) might be lucky!

dappledshade

It is unreal!
Payback for a tropical spring last year...

I’m sat in my kitchen diner, looking at the lashing rain on the glass, whilst my plants are buffeted by gale force winds!

I have to say though, that all my clematis seem happier with the cool and wet this year and the roses have never been so disease free (ditto fruit trees).

But my Mediterranean plants (salvias, lavenders, jasmines, pelargoniums etc) are at a virtual standstill, in protest.

I don’t even mind the rain that much (though I would’ve preferred it in April), but it’s the cold that gets to me most.

Wibble

It’s been an unusually wet, cold and stormy May here - even by northern standards. It’s still not much above 5 degrees C at night. Some things are growing reasonably well despite it, but others are struggling a bit. Hopefully we’ll get some extra growing time onto the other end of summer instead!

Posy

I'm on the Island, @FowersFlowersEverywhere and it's just called weather. The last few years have seen my plants suffering from heat and drought, now we have cold gales. Most of our garden plants are well able to cope with these attacks and if you have a bad year, you soon get a good one. 
Improve your soil, ask Father Christmas for a cold frame or greenhouse, if he's feeling generous, and enjoy learning from all these experiences. And don't worry, it will all work out!

FlowersFlowersEverywhere

Looks like I just need to hang in there! 

I spotted some green shoots on a dahlia that I had all but given up hope on, so I’m taking that as this wet and windy week’s win.