To do this the reader requires only two pieces of information and they are;
The authors planting out date, which is Week 20 and your planting out date as indicated by the value on the map above.
Mentally calculate your date + / - to week 20 and apply this to all the timings shown within the website.
For example; someone living in the London area (17) would be expected to be around three weeks in front of the authors planting date and conversely someone living in the Edinburgh area (23) to be around three weeks behind it.
Put another way; If the data in this almanac was to indicate that a particular task should be done in say week 12!
Then people in the London area might well be able to do that task around week 9, whereas people in Edinburgh would be wiser to wait until week 15.
Please note; each grid on the chart is approx 50 miles x 50 miles (2500 square miles) meaning that people within the same grid could experience different weather situations for a number of reasons e.g. their garden layout, available light, shade, wind, frost pockets, altitude, sea air etc.
Those people who have knowledge of the 'latest frosts' in their locality, could adjust their grid value to suit this knowledge.
In the event that the reader is new to gardening, and does not have this knowledge, then they might find it useful to have a chat with experienced gardeners in their area! That is; they could establish when the ‘locals’ carry out certain tasks.
This information can then be compared with the author’s dates for the same tasks, thus allowing the reader to make a more accurate adjustment to the dates given in this book.
Notes;
- Only carry out the tasks at the said times if conditions allow. If conditions are not deemed suitable, wait until they are.
- Similarly, delay sowing dates if you find you are short of 'frost free' space to store your seedlings until planting out time.
- Finally, do not despair if you meet with delay, plants have an amazing ability to catch up lost time!
