how will this warm spell affect the garden

nature will do its own thing. some plants may put on fresh growth that will be knocked back by the frosts. others will do nothing and of course the grass will continue to grow :o(

it is 10C here in the shade but much warmer, to the point of feeling hot, in the sun. As SBG says some things may start growing and then get knocked back but it really isn't a big deal. Mother Nature will look after everything in her own way, even if that does kill some thing off!

If its any comfort, Pamg, although it was much, much colder last year at this time, that was an aberration compared to the last 10 years or so - the warm weather we're having now is much more like what we've been having during the decade, and plants have coped - it's the old rule of nature, adapt or die...

for many plant adapogens in plant from iceage,so many plant more hardy than book say for short time. this warm time no prob if you need to water an evn less if not.
As MG say Mother Nature no best cos she sort thins out 10000yrs a go.