We are fast approching the trickiest time of the gardening year wherever you
live. If, you're like me, you'll be like a race horse chomping at the bit.
As each day passes you will notice more and more shoots begin to make their
almost miraculous appearance. It's an exciting time but beware! It's not
Spring just yet. Put your more tender plants out a couple of weeks too
early and you could lose a couple of months growth when a cold night or hard
wind comes just for one night only. If that happens, those tiny red shoots
could turn black and the unfortunate plant has to start all over again.

Just the other week I had my shirt off while drilling vine eyes into a
south-facing wall. As I worked, thoughts of uncovering tender plants began
to fester as they do on such warm days at this time of year. But when I
reached the top of the wall the north wind took my breath away and thoughts
of uncovering plants evaporated in the breeze. Just as well. Within a week
we had snow on the ground.
--
Regards
Mike Gilmore
WinsfordWalledGarden, SW England,
USDA Zone9a