It's raining today, but the other day I saw these dandelion clocks up the Welcombe Hills

Like many of the plants that bring colour to the Welcombe Hills, the dandelion (pis en lit as it's also known) is not welcome in our gardens and lawns. In the hills though it grows profusely and along with the buttercups makes the yellow carpet associated with spring. Traditionally, April is the time for gathering the flower heads to make wine and a fine wine it makes too. I've a 2 year old demijohn of the stuff and it's now ready for drinking. The good thing about the dandelion is that there is plenty for everybody including the bees that also love it.

In May the dandelion seeds and we see the familiar dandelion clocks. Because this spring has been so good for growing there seems to be more than ever and they do make a fine display collectively and individually.