Gardening is more probability than certainty

 By John Warrington

I am in England at present but I hope it’s only for the shortest while. I look out of my study window upon a world of snow as far as I can see, as well as the Pennine Chain, a range of hills marching northwards for miles to Scotland. It is a popular walk, but very lonely and at times quite dangerous although very beautiful. Here on the outskirts of Manchester, the trees and shrubs are showing signs of spring, with bulbs like crocus, daffodils and tulips beginning to brighten up the gardens. A severe winter was forecast, but in fact it has been very mild except that for the last few days severe snow and frost have made gardening impossible. The place in which I am staying maintains what my hosts consider to be a tropical temperature in honour of my presence. However, 25ºC is several degrees cooler than Georgetown’s lowest night temperature, and I am wrapped in thick pullovers. The pruning of fruit trees and flowering shrubs will be done just before the buds begin to swell and the leaves burst.