If you keep up with the meteorological calendar, today (1 March) marks the official start of spring.
While the spring equinox isn’t until 20 March, York is certainly showing signs that it is ready to welcome the new season today.
Beautiful flowers sit on Duncombe Place with York Minster sunbathing in the background.
Daffodils have started blooming in front of the city walls on Lord Mayor’s Walk. And Museum Gardens are again showing the first signs of new life.
For many, it’s a time filled with preparing the garden to welcome new crops, flowers and new life.
Edible York is a non-profit organisation who “try to make York a better place by running edible gardening and horticultural activities.” They are responsible for many green spaces in York, aiming to connect people to the food they’re growing and eating.
John Cossham of the charity says: “Spring is a time to get busy preparing for the growing season.
“We top-dress our soil with compost from the bottom of last year’s heap to enrich and pamper the land. We sort our seeds and check planting dates, bearing in mind that many edible plants are frost sensitive so shouldn’t be planted outside until the end of May or the beginning of June.
“We enjoy looking at the fruit tree blossom and if we’re lucky, gather some wild garlic leaves to pep up salads or make pesto. It’s a time for optimism and looking forward, as the days lengthen and warm up.”
With just under three weeks before our clocks go forward and the mornings get lighter (1am on Sunday 27 March), there’s nothing stopping the people of York from getting some fresh air and seeing the beautiful start to spring.