Another day with no rain. I’m feeling spoiled, so I thought I’d go out in the sunshine (yes, it was even sunny!) and have a close look at things.
I’m pleased to see that crocus’ definitely like grass-free lawns. Last year I spotted little wispy seedlings and this year those wisps have solidified into identifiable crocus leaves.

Crocus seedlings
Fortunately crocus leaves are fairly easy to distinguish from grass leaves by their feel, if not their looks.
Grasses too pop up from time to time in the lawn, particularly since the University’s British grass collection is growing about 5 steps away. Early spring – and yes, by some reckoning today is the first day of spring, is a good time to check the lawn for grasses that may have crept in. They easily stand out against the forbs, and as spring progresses they get even easier to spot as they produce a typical vertical profile.

Grass at the edge of the lawn.
The eagle-eyed among you will spot the plantain (Plantago major) in the top right of the image. I didn’t plant it and am in two minds as to whether I like it or not. I find the eco-friendly part of me thinking, it’s a useful plant to have in the mix, it’s not hurting anything etc. The ornamental gardener in me is thinking, hmm a weed that doesn’t have pretty flowers. The eco-friendly gardener is winning so far. I know for sure now (another research conclusion) that the plants in a grass-free lawn aren’t all there because of their flowers. There are ground cover plants and flower producing plants and ones that do both, and they are all required for the most effective lawns. I shall view the plantain as a useful ground cover plant; apparently it is as good as a dock leaf for stings and bites, and a wide variety of insects, bugs and beetles will chomp on it along with rabbits and hedgehogs. My aesthetic sensibilities are feeling soothed already.
The sun seems to have woken a few more flowers up. They are a bit hard to see in the image but the sweet violet (Viola odorata) is beginning to make an appearance. There are pink ones and purple ones and a sweet mauve hybrid if you look hard enough. There are yellow and white forms to choose from as well, but not in the image. The first ornamental daisies are showing too, and I do like the little splashes of red they provide.

St.David’s Day Lawn
It may be St.David’s day (I’m 1/4 Welsh – so I notice these things), but the daffodils just haven’t quite opened yet. I’ll post an image when they do.