We are now at the end of May - only 3 weeks away from the shortest day of the year - We are certainly getting less sunshine each day as it quickly drops low enough for shadows to stretch right across our properties, yet large parts of New Zealand are still regularly reaching temperatures above average for this time of year.
My garden is still, slowly, ripening Tomatoes - normally would be Frosted and gone by now. Nasturtium are still flowering, ditto, - so is my Tree Dahlia. I'm not complaining mind you, I like it, but I am noticing strange happenings out there in the garden. Some of the birds are getting twitterpated (to quote Disneys Rabbit) My Flowering Cherry- which normally at this time of year would be a colourful mass of autumn leaves - is shedding them only half coloured up because the temps are not cold enough to bring on the colour. In their place the buds which would normally be tight over winter are swelling, and if they get much larger will be opening into spring blossom. I am wondering whether the many Apple orchards in my area are experiencing the same phenomenon. That could be disastrous for next season's crops.
My Broad Beans are loving it - look forward to good feeds early Spring, and some SugarSnap Peas which I took a chance on a week or so back are popping up through the soil, I had worried that they may rot, because we had some heavy rain for a couple of days after sowing, but they look fine.
Today, the wind has been really cold, but still a glorious day. The weather-man tells us that we can expect widespread frosts soon - Probably to maintain the proper order of things out there, the sooner the better, but don't quote me to all my friends 
when we shivver and dig for our Thermals! Betty
Tags: Winter AutumnColours Unseasonable Weather VegetableGarden
