January Weather - In mild winters gales and rain are common, depressions come sweeping inland from the Atlantic accompanied by sometimes violent westerly winds, continuous low grey cloud and much rain, but if the wind veers to a northerly quarter, it is considerably colder and the possibility of snowfall produces cold spells, often persistant day and night. As well as trying to minimise the effects of adverse weather during milder times many persistant weeds can be significantly reduced within the coming growing year.

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February Weather - If the wind blows east at the beginning of the month, winter is set to continue; but if there are clouds, rain and the wind is westerly, winter is virtually over. In a hard winter February can see the southern regions experiencing harsh conditions, the Sun can do little to calm the cold winds from the European continent. Afternoon temperatures may not rise above freezing except the lowlands of the south-west and the western fringes of Ireland. Blustery winds can sweep down from the artic regions causing intense cold but February however, can be mild where west to south west winds occur. Periods of heavy rain are broken by bright sunny intervals while at night the temperature drops allowing frost to persist. Southerly winds can give a false impression of spring but is not likly to persist and cold weather will return. Ground preperation can begin at this time.

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March Weather - Day to day in March can see pronounced variations, year to year can also be diverse. Depressions from the Atlantic can bring cold north easterly winds reaching gale force especially on western coasts, while the North can see Hail, sleet and snow showers especially to high grounds. Sunshine hours increase so out of the wind temperatures can rise and fog may occur. A principle divide between North and South is previlant where Cornwall has Spring the North can still be Winter. Widespread showers occur but there is less rain than January or February. In exposed places air frost is widespread and frost is possible on most nights due to the clear skies associated with north-westerly winds because of the north-easterly influence. Advantage can be taken of the clear spells for cultivations but subseqent cold spells cam happen so caution is advised.

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April Weather - Much the same as March and differences between the north and south are still quite great. Snow is by no means unusual but it rarly lasts long. Cold, grey weather is possible and warm rains come from the west. Ground frost, sometimes severe is possible at night especially if the ground is dry. Daytime temperatures are nearly always above 10°C in southern England and widespread fog is rare. Occasional periods of anticyclone weather with warm, dry, sunny conditions can occur and the temperature may reach 21°C in the south. Ground frosts may follow hot days in sheltered valleys and hollows. Inland thunderstorms with heavh rain are expected a couple of times in April sometimes accompanied with sleet or hail. A busy time time in the garden with general work, care must be taken to see that young plants do not run short of soil moisture.

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May Weather - Gardeners can expect all kinds of weather in May, Atlantic depressions are weak so the month can often be dry. Southern England can see sunny weather and once again Thunderstorms accompanied by hail and squally winds can also occur. The weatehr in May is influenced by a northerly or north-easterly influence and it can result in snow showers in the north but it will not persist. On the whole this influence brings cool rather than cold weather, dry and with clear sunny skies. In the south east mid-day temperatures average 13°C. Anticyclone conditions give hot tranquill conditions in May; daytime temperatures reach a maximum of 27°C in the south, winds are light snd the skies clear. Late May frosts are the bain of all gardeners, likley when the night skies are clear and the weather has been drier than usual. Temperatures under glass cover can become excessive so take care with ventilation.

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June Weather - Westerly influences return this month, depressions from the Atlantic once more frequently pass to the north west but winds are light. June and July have less gales than any other month and periods of rain, warm, cludy, muggy weather are followed by brighter clearer weather brought by north westerly winds. Light, westerly winds cross the country bringing cloudless conditions with many hours of sunshine each day. On average June is the sunniest month except in north west Scotland & Ireland. June is also the driest month but cumulus clouds may develop and thunderstorms may put an end to fine spells. The Sun is at its strongest in June so every care must be taken to keep down weeds and to maintain soil moisture. Pests and diseases must be checked whenever they show the first signs of infesting the garden: early action can do much to keep these enemies under control.

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July Weather - Often the warmest month of the year especially in inland areas of southern England. July can also be the wettest month of summer due to Atlantic depressions that can be frequent, westerly winds may bring prolonged rain especially on the hills of the north and west. Dried conditions result in a wind from the north west. When the barometer is high and the wind is from the west or south west the temperature can exceed 21°C but during these conditions the weather is often sultry and breaks down with thunderstorms from the south after a few days. High humidity and fairly frequent rain in July produces favourable conditions for the spread of plant diseases, dusting or spraying early as a precaution should be employed. Once a disease has taken a firm hold in the garden, its usually too late to expect control measures to succeed.

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August Weather - August weather is often the same as July: if Juliy is wet August is likly to be wet as well. Depressions can bring prolonged rain and dull weather especially in the north and west on hilly areas. Spells of anticyclone weather can be very warm indeed (27°C +) and usually result in severe thunderstorms. Nights lengthen and grow colder, dewfall can be heavy thus complicating plant disease problems. However, if the wind swings to the north or north east, dry, cool, clear nights may occur. Wind speeds begin to increase at this time of year, gales are not uncommon and autumn can appear in the south. Hedges should be cut in August so any new growth can harden for winter chills and gardens should be maintained with an eye for the ensuing winter months.

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September Weather - The first of the Autumn months, it can still provide spells of warm, sunny weather but the effects of the shortening days are noticeable. The nights are appreciable cooler and often humid, more so in Northan regions. Temperatures can still reach 21°C in the south, dew and mist forms readily where dry still nights with little cloud cover prevail. Early morning frosts may once again be a problem to the gardener, likly inland in valley bottoms and sheltered pockets especially in the north. Cool, wet and windy weather comes from the west but drier sunnier weather lingers in the east as the month progresses unsettled weather becomes prevailent. Gardeners should be prepared to protect plants that are at risk from frosts by moving them indoors. Fences, stakes, ties or things vulnerable to winds should be attended to.

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October Weather - Rain, wind and cloud characterise the weather this month which can be the wettest of the year. An Indian summer can occur caused by a short spell of mellow anticyclonic weather similar to that of September, in such weather is is calmer and drier but fog is more likly and frost is a serious hazard. South to south westerly winds arriving with a depression usually bring long periods of cool, dull days with much low cloud causing much rain especially in the hills of the west. The end of October and beginnings of November form the most consistantly stormy periods of the year, gails and rain sweep the country and outdoor work is restricted. With the ground approaching saturation point, autumn floods in the valleys can occur. Opportunities for digging should be taken to gain maximum benefit from winter frosts so that the soil is in good condition for spring planting.

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November Weather - Often the wettest month of the year but the weather can relent to give a few days of summer sunshine. Shorter days and weaker sun result in lower temperatures. Gales are more frequent and southerly airstreams may bring mist and fog particularly to the midlands and south east. Northerly winds will bring an onslaught of snow to the north but milder conditions will prevent it from lasting. Fog forms after clear nights and the sun may not be strong enough to clear it the following day in some cases the fog will persist. This may be of some benefit to the gardener for the fog will stop temperatures plunging to freezing. If the air is dry and no fog forms hard frosts can occur. In the garden, clearing up should be in full swing, collecting leaves (burning diseased ones) for compost should be done. Good garden hygiene in autumn can prevent disease the following summer.

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December Weather - Usually there is little sunshine and gales and rain are more common, with fog and frost inevitable when pressure rises during an anticyclone and winds drop. Sometimes the coldest month of the year, but usually cold spells do not persist. Cold setting in at the end of the month can presage a long, hard winter. Occasionally south westerly winds arriving with a depression bring showers and brighter intervals but more usually west winds reaching gale force bring heavy rain. At other times north east winds can bring squally, raw weather and temperatures may not rise above freezing point all dauy. Every effort should be made to complete ground preperation and draughts should be eliminated from greehouses and outhouses. Merry Christmas!

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