UNUSUAL YEAR THIS YEAR

Well what a strange year it is this year. Normally by now we have had a frost which has finished off the annuals. This year though the winter jasmine has started flowering whilst the begonias and busy lizzies are still going strong! The cannas which by now I have usually put into the shed are continuing to flower AND making new buds. I've taken a look at the week aheads weather forecast and it seems temperatures could suddenly drop, so to be on the safe side I will move the cannas, fuschia and begonia baskets and non hardy upright fuschias inside during the week. Then it will be time to start mulching up the tender perennials that we leave in the ground. I'm glad we've had some rain now as I dont like mulching when the soil beneath is too dry. Then once weve had that first frost I'll pop the dahlias away too so that they can start dying down and drying off. Depending on the harshness of the winter there is a chance they would survive in their pots outside but as they are very precious (some of hubbys favourites) I dont want to take the chance.