Hard frosts followed by very mild days, followed by rain and strong winds, followed by glorious sunshine.

It has been tricky to pick the right day to get out in the garden this week, but one thing we have done is spend time in the greenhouses with our pile of recycled and upcycled insulation materials, improvising plant protection for the icy nights.

Weather - Grasses providing winter interest (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening)

For the most tender plants and cuttings, we have some old polystyrene boxes with lids (which we take on and off to ensure airflow around the plants).

We also have some fleece which is more hole than fleece these days, but which does the job, draped over the pelargoniums and succulents.

And we have lots of old bubble wrap which we put on the inside of the glass to protect the salvias.

We have also filled lots of black buckets with........

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