During November last year when the heavy rain pounded the already saturated soil in the gardens, I did wonder if the 2,000 tulip bulbs we had planted a month earlier would survive the ordeal of constant saturation.

My fears were put to one side when the warmth of early March sent fresh tulip buds into the open air. The bulbs packed full of energy sent the stems flying into the sky and for the past 4 weeks the display has been stupendous. Using three shades of purple mixed randomly and laid out in the formal setting of the gardens. The technique is effective and one that I intend to use again this autumn when the existing bulbs are added to rather than digging up the entire lot every year. I've been very fortunate with the weather and the lack of rain has meant that the petals normally knocked off in a fortnight or so have remained intact on the stems for much longer. Tulips are an indulgence but one worth dabbling in from time to time.

The herbaceous borders are exploding into life and the rate of growth is astounding. I put it down to the unusual warmth we've been having and the effective use of mulch meaning that there is a constant supply of water trapped in the soil. Additional to these factors the heavily manured soil is also feeding the hungry stems and leaves that are weaving their late spring tapestry. Everything that we planted last year is now at least three times the size it reached last summer in every dimension. The borders will and must look good for the official re-opening of the gardens to be held in mid July. Many people who have been involved in the garden will be expecting a completed project, even if it isn't I want them to see one that to their eyes is a working, breathing example of lake district gardening at it's best.

The community vegetable garden is going to feature as much flower power this year as vegetables. This is not only to add interest for the visitor but also the beneficial effects of mixing flowers and vegetable plants known as companion planting. This helps to confuse those pests that would normally be attracted to a particular plants chemical make up. The garden now has a superb set of paths and steps that make it more user friendly for everyone. Watering in the garden has been dragged into the 21st century with a large 3,000-litre water tank sunk into the ground that collects rain from the greenhouse roof. The water can then be pumped around the garden to various tanks including one located inside the greenhouse.

In both the formal and informal vegetable gardens it is an exciting time of year with so much happening. The beauty of Rydal is the diversity of the different environments and gardens, each one is special, and that's just the people in them who are helping me to make it all happen.