Last Autumn lingered late into what should have been Winter. When Winter arrived, rainfall was more than sufficient to compensate for the delayed beginning. In fact, it did not seem like it would cease. Now that it has, Winter seems to have ended as well. What a gyp! Winter should be three months, not three weeks.

Winter weather will likely continue sometime between now and Spring, but the recent weather that is more typical of Spring has confused many species. Many spring bulbs, such as daffodil and narcissus have begun to bloom somewhat prematurely. Some saucer magnolias and star magnolias have also initiated bloom. Most seem to suspect that it is still Winter and are therefore blooming sporadically, but others are in full bloom.

This weather is pleasant while it lasts, but may eventually cause some problems in the garden. Winter pruning of many deciduous species must be completed during dormancy. If however, dormancy is prematurely disrupted and vascular activity resumes, the necessary pruning can not be completed without damaging the subject while it is most sensitive. Fruit trees and roses for example must therefore be carefully monitored if immediate pruning is not possible. If vascular activity, such as swelling buds, is observed, pruning can not be delayed.

Timely pruning unfortunately can not protect prematurely active fruit trees from resumption of winter weather. Immediate resumption of cool weather might delay premature bloom enough so that it actually occurs during later Winter or early Spring, after damaging winter weather. More of the same weather will otherwise cause early bloom that will very likely be damaged by later frost, wind or rain. Even if bloom is completed while the weather is unseasonably warm and dry, developing juvenile fruit of most species is as easily damaged when Winter weather continues.

Irrigation may also become a concern during this pleasant weather. During normal Winter weather, irrigation should be very minimal or not necessary at all. Only garden space or containers under eaves, lanais or other structures should require regular irrigation. Such irrigation should also be minimal because evaporation of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (evaporation of moisture from foliar surfaces) and vascular activity are inhibited by cool weather. Without rain, supplemental irrigation may furthermore become necessary to sustain unseasonable vascular activity in areas of the garden that are not so sheltered.