How my little bit of NE England fared
The so-called Beast from the East certainly was the worst snow we’d had for many a year in North-East England in February 2018.
It prevented me from visiting London to go to the Garden Press Event. Both my booked trains there and back were cancelled amid the transport chaos, so I spent my time taking pictures instead.

We’re usually fortunate here, with the prevailing winds from the west. That means snow gets dumped on the Pennines before it reaches us. Of course, when the wind blows from the east in winter, it’s from freezing Siberia and the snow falls on us! Hence the title, the Beast from the East.

Beast from the East – a shock to the system
It’s the deepest snow we’d had in Gateshead since I started keeping records in 2012 – drifting in places over the top of my wellies! On Wednesday, February 28, while snowing a blizzard, I became aware of the phenomenon known as thundersnow… on to the pictures!

Being prepared for adverse weather is what gardening is all about. Read more about cold protection and storm protection. If your plants get frost damage, here’s a handy guide to see whether they’ll survive. I use the Met Office warnings system to keep me updated of any inclement weather.








