The stream running beside the lane to the allotment site is fuller than I have ever seen it before and it is now home to a pair of mallard ducks, whilst my own plot is so waterlogged that I decided the best way forward was to dig a ditch all the way around.

This is full of standing water, resembling a small moat, and I have shored up the edges with planks of wood on the wettest side. It has been quite a job but should help to drain the soil, the paths will be useable and I am building up the beds as much as possible with compost from the heap before planting.

Generally the plot is looking pretty again in places as the daffodils, hyacinths and plum blossom are all in full bloom and soon the apple blossom and forget-me-nots will be out too.

A bumble bee was collecting pollen from the flowers of the broad bean plants which, half hidden amongst the leaves, are very striking with their dark spots and stripes on white petals with touches of pink. These I hope will turn into a healthy crop of beans over the next few weeks.

I am now harvesting purple sprouting broccoli and have sown a couple of rows of parsnips in the other half of the bed. Once the ground has warmed up a little I shall plant peas and potatoes. This year I am trying a garden pea called Giant Sugar, which is an heirloom mangetout variety with large pods that can be eaten raw or cooked, and a French heritage salad potato called Ratte, which are said to have a ‘nutty flavour’.