From mild and marvelous, the garden has turned to white, Bare branches and piles of debris set aside for another day are now covered by snow. Cloaked by wet snow, slender limbs arch to obstruct the garden’s paths. A gentle nudge dislodges the heaviest of it, but I don’t expect it to be around for…

Certainly, there is trouble ahead, there must be, despite reports from forecasters that no temperatures below mid teens (Fahrenheit) are expected in the seven weeks until spring (the gardener’s spring, March 1). Though today is gray, damp, and dreary, it is also mild. It is exaggerated to claim that the garden is filled with flowers,…