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Weather warning

BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
in Problem solving
I think a lot of us in the UK have experienced a winter that has been, so far, milder and wetter than we'd normally expect.

As a very inexperienced gardener, I'd just like to emphasize (and take note of) the wise words that are appearing across various threads. Don't get carried away thinking that spring has arrived. I'm fairly certain that I'll get snowfall and umpteen more frosts here between now and, potentially, the end of April. I'm dying to prune, sow and re-plant various things now but, without the means/inclination to protect/heat, I should hang fire for a while yet.
East Lancs
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  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    Wise words indeed @Biglad - especially on the seed sowing.

    However, you should be alright to prune in mild spells, and moving established plants is ok too, so long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.  In fact it gives them a better chance of establishing well when spring does get going.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - pruning/moving is fine as @chicky describes, but its always a mistake to be too cavalier with seed sowing unless you have the means to grow them on.
     
    We've had virtually no winter here yet, but I'm not assuming anything  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2022
    I would say that it all depends on what you're pruning ... plants whose new growth can withstand frosts will be fine if pruned early ... in my experience plants whose new growth will be damaged by being frozen should be left unpruned until the worst of the frosts are over.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    Absolutely Dove is right - leave your penstemon, gaura and the like alone.  I leave my buddleja and Gp3 clematis til later too.

    But apples and roses are fine to prune now.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    It snowed into May last year and started again in November. It's not over until it's over. :|
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    Yes - should've included the caveats re. exactly what you're pruning or moving. Different strokes for different folks ;) 

    I'd check before getting the tools out of the shed anyway!
    East Lancs
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    The one thing about the weather now is its predictably unpredictable. Whilst I'm itching to get a start on things I know that often you don't gain anything by jumping the gun. I'm going to sow things later this year because last year things really suffered because they couldn't go out and I don't think I gained anything from starting early, I actually think it hindered some things. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'm hoping the weather doesn't warm up too soon as I've just pruned my acer.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's why we don't sow early up here @thevictorianzFH0qqPW.  Never worth it. 
    Last winter was a more normal one for us after some milder ones, and this one is bizarre in it's mildness.
    I'd rather have @pansyface's weather than our constant smirr and cloud that we've been getting. 
    Your Acer should be fine @B3, because even if you get a bit of growth and then a cold snap, you can take those dead bits off later -no problem.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thanks @Fairygirl. I've been a bit cowardly. Maybe I'll nibble a bit more off.  I was more concerned about it bleeding but it seems fine.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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