GARDENS: We reached out to Donald J. Comes, a horticultural botanist gardener from Smethport, to see what gardening he recommends people do — and not do — during the unusually warm weather we’ve seen this month.

It’s understandable that people want to get outside after being cooped up all winter, but Donald warns that starting some tasks too soon might leave some plants vulnerable to future cold weather.

“Do not be in a hurry to clean up your gardens where bulbs or tender perennials are planted,” wrote Donald.“People get excited the first warm days to get going on clean-up. This only opens the area for more frost and dangerous situations before March 21.”

He shared several other tips.

“Fruit trees and grape vines should be pruned now before sap and juices start to rise in the trunks and branches,” he stated. “No other pruning is required now. Prune flowering shrubs directly after they flower.

“Do not uncover leaves or mulch until April 1 to be sure it’s safe.”

Donald further recommends planting peas, sweet peas and cool crops on St. Patrick’s Day.

Want to cheer up your home with spring plants?

He said, “I am now forcing shrub branches in warm water.” He has success forcing branches including pussy willows, forsythia, flowering quince, yellow dogwood and red twigged dogwood. “Keep branches in a cool area for 2-3 weeks to last longer.

“God will know when the earth and climate are ready to burst into spring. Everyone gets itchy to get tomatoes, peppers and warm crop veggies in early, in too early.

“Remember where those plants are native to — Mexico — warm days and warm nights.” Put plants in too early, and gardeners will just have to purchase more to replant if there is frost, according to Donald.

“My uncle and nephew always planted on the full moon in June or 10th June and had the best vegetable garden on Daly Brook,” he said.

Donald offered this advice, too: “If you continue to cover warm climate plants it’s beneficial to you and your plants.”