[dropcap]G[/dropcap]eneral notes: For those of us who like to bundle up during this time of year, our balmy ‘flip-flops and T-shirt’ Christmas was a bit of a disappointment. Weather forecasters think this is because of the return of La Niña conditions in the Pacific. When will winter truly arrive, and how should gardeners handle the effects of another mild winter?

The main problem we face during mild winters is the rapid fluctuation of temperature. In the warmth, the plants will mis...