In My Cottage Garden: April 2025
A Ramble Through the Cottage Garden
Ah, April in the cottage garden — that magical time of year when everything gets into full swing. The trees are blossoming with gusto, the wildlife is getting very friendly (with each other), and the plants have decided to bud overnight. It’s all rather exciting.
Wild Rabbits and a Damsel in Distress!
Let me introduce you to the latest garden residents – two tiny wild rabbits who have boldly set up home under a pile of “items waiting to go to the tip.” And by “waiting,” I mean... the pile that has been there for a few weeks and has developed a bit of a personality. Is it just me, or does anyone else love a good spring clean… right up until the moment you actually have to go to the tip? There’s something oddly satisfying about clearing out the clutter, filling up the boot, feeling smug – and then comes the dreaded pilgrimage to the recycling centre and spending precious time hunting down the right skip - there’s a category for everything! That’s where the joy ends for me.
Our local tip used to be staffed by the absolute salt of the earth – the kind who’d swoop in to rescue a damsel in distress wrestling with a broken bookcase or a suspiciously heavy bag of garden waste. But alas, those days are gone.
Anyway, I digress. The rubbish is still in a not-so-neat pile. The tip trip is still pending. The rabbits have dug underneath it all. And the world keeps turning.
Despite their poor taste in a home location, the wild bunnies are so cute. Each evening, they hop out for a little nibble on the grass, and come 7pm, our garden has turned into something from Beatrix Potter. I keep hoping they’ll invite a few hundred of their friends over for a lawn-munching party – anything to save us from firing up the mower. They’re also very friendly with the hens, sharing snacks and exchanging what I imagine are passive-aggressive glares over dandelion leaves.
Pink Pastel Blossom
The trees have really come into their own this month, and don’t they look pretty? There’s a gorgeous mix of white blossom and the softest pastel pinks dusting the apple trees like someone’s been at them with a palette of water colours and a delicate paintbrush. I’ve always been a sucker for a pastel pink and soft whites in the garden – it pairs beautifully with all the zingy greens popping up everywhere, giving the whole place a spring glow-up.
Beyond looking lovely, the blossoms are doing important work too, especially for the bees. Over the bank holiday weekend, I spent far longer than I care to admit following one determined little bee as she buzzed from flower to flower on the apple tree, diligently filling up her tiny pollen baskets. It felt like a very wholesome moment, only with me crouched awkwardly in the tree amongst the blossoms.
Before long, those blossoms will turn into fruit – in theory, anyway. Between the birds, the squirrels, and the occasional mystery nibbler, I rarely get to eat much of it myself. But honestly, just having the blossom around feels like enough. It’s one of those fleeting garden moments I look forward to every year – here for a short while, but it always makes me smile.
Darling Buds of April
My daily garden strolls have become a bit of a ritual – just me and Gus, our very enthusiastic dog, making the rounds. While I admire the ever-changing view, Gus takes his job of sniffing every single corner of the garden incredibly seriously.
The other day, during one of these rambles, I noticed something magical – the buds are everywhere. The strawberry plants are looking full of promise, and there’s a lovely flurry of blossom way up in the treetops, which can only mean one thing: the cherries are on their way. It’s that exciting time where everything’s gearing up for summer, and you can almost taste the fruit to come (assuming the birds don’t beat me to it – again).
I’d Love to Hear From You!
I’d love to hear what you’ve noticed in your garden this month – have there been any new signs of life, cheeky wildlife visitors, or unexpected blooms? And if you’re lucky enough to have a garden (or even a few pots on a windowsill!), what’s been going on in your green space?
Every garden tells its own little story this time of year – feel free to share yours in the comments!
Thank you for reading my post – your interest and support mean the world to me! If you’ve enjoyed this little slice of my journey, why not join me for more? By subscribing, you’ll have my free weekly newsletters delivered straight to your inbox at 7am every Sunday. It’s the perfect way to start your day with a warm cup of tea (or coffee!) and a cosy read. I’d love to have you along for the adventure. Simply hit subscribe, and I’ll see you next Sunday!
Catch Up on Last Month’s Post…
ooh those pink blossoms are beautiful, paired with your bunny rabbits it does remind me of Beatrix Potter! Gotta love Spring 🌸 thanks for letting me enjoy a few moments of Spring while we are enjoying cooler and shorter days 😊
I wish I could show you a picture of my meadow filled with daisies but alas I don’t know how to attach a photo here. From North Carolina, Diary of a Mindful Nature Lover