Spring has certainly sprung – and it’s been a cold start in places – especially in the east of the South Island, which saw snow flurries on and off this week!

Coming out of a mixed winter, we wanted to know what state the country’s gardens, yards and paddocks were in as we approach the growth season – and how our readers were placed heading into spring.

The results were a little surprising – with just under 60% of voters saying it’s either “terrible” or “not looking good” after a rough winter.

The other 40% were split between 25% who were “looking great” and the rest who were “ok” – not exactly a ringing endorsment for what has been an up and down 2015 so far!

– Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz