Today's max of 8.9C is the highest since Boxing Day. The last maximum in
double figures was December 10th so you could make a case for the cool
spell starting then and continuing. So far , rather than remembering this
winter for extreme cold, I will remember it for its complete lack of any
truly mild spells.
Dave
www.laindonweather.co.uk

Indeed. Proper stuff. Good for the garden in the long run, killing off all
the viruses and bacteria that can survive in horrible mild winters. I'm
looking forward to another good veg and fruit crop again this summer and
some nice flowers free from over-wintering pests and diseases.

Will
--

I noticed in April and May last year the wild flowers were unusually
good - was this perhaps related to winter 08/09 being coldish?

Nick- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I think there's a lot of bo***cks talked about mild winters being bad
for gardens etc. One of the main reasons for there being so many
gardens in Cornwall (Trewidden http://www.trewiddengarden.co.uk/ ,
Heligan & the gardens on the Mount
http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/get...Itinerary.aspx
being 3 of my favourites) is the lack of sustained cold. There are
carpets of wild flowers on Bryher & St Agnes in the Spring, despite
any frost being a real rarity. (No air frost on Scilly so far this
winter, as far as I'm aware). The main threat to wild flowers are
herbicides (as well as being eaten by cows, goats, rabbits etc!). A
number of farms in Penwith (Land's End peninsula) are now organic, and
the positive effect on plant life clear.

It's all part of the cold brigades justification for winter, when
quite honestly when I'm in power November, December, January &
February will be the 1st against the wall, well possibly after Esther
Rantzen & Abba tribute bands.

Which reminds me http://www.pondlifeska.co.uk/who.htm are really great
local band.

Graham
Penzance (where 18 days have exceeded 10C since 10th Dec (best to
finish vaguely on topic)