At long last the government has woken up to the dramatic fall in bee numbers and the devastating effect this could have on crops.  Too little too late, but £10 million to research the decline in bees is better than nothing.

So while we're waiting for the results of this research, its important we do all we can to provide nesting, shelter and food for as many bees as possible.  Bumblebee nests are a good option, but its just as important to leave well alone all the potential nesting sites like cracked wood and concrete that you might otherwise want to tidy up.

I can see why the Japanese love their blossom.  Just as the plum and peach are fading, in comes the pear.  And the cherry and apple are just itching to get going too.  Even though it happens every year, it never fails to bowl me over.

Its a reminder that summer is just around the corner. Time to dust off those deckchairs!

I have to take my hat off to those guys at River Cottage.  A couple of years ago I went on their Build and Bake course and it inspired me to build my own wood fired oven in the garden.  Making it was great fun.  All the kids got involved at different stages and they love cooking in it now.  This Sunday was flat breads and roast chicken, cooked exactly as it shows with the door open.  Simple and absolutely delicious. 

Good luck to the Grofun guys who want to build one.

It is so exciting to see the first shoots of asparagus.  All of the family love asparagus, so I'm not the only one to be salavating.

I put in a 10 ariane crowns last year and watched longingly as they grew and then went to seed.  This year we can start to pick the shoots and I'm sure it will have been worth the wait.