Warmer soils and longer days give the plants the push they need

‘Our babies are growing. In a few weeks I’ll be needing them more than they’ll need me.’ Photograph: Allan Jenkins

Our first bowl of summer salad! Floppy golden lettuce leaves, a light scattering of dill, a couple of crisp radishes. The plot thickens.

The climbing French beans (a flat yellow, plus a smaller blue and Cherokee Trail of Tears) have survived the attacks. The small stick fencing has done its work. The blackbirds and I are back on better terms. Though, to be fair, I don’t know it was them.