Has been a good autumn out west with a slow gradual cool down ideal to harden things off. Yesterday, I finished up the last of the clean up chores and restocked the mouse bait stations. Frost is now penetrating the ground, I always like to see the ground freeze down somewhat before the snow arrives, as it helps prevent the mice from tunnelling into the earth and eating away at the perennials. Soon, I'll spread some straw over the strawberry patch and also where I have buried the potted roses for the winter and then it's a wrap until the warmth of spring again arrives. All in all, 2015 was a long and very good growing season, though just so extremely dry up until September!

Three seed catalogues were in the mail yesterday along with the few packs of seeds I had ordered from Swallowtail.

I think on the whole we had a good year too. All the rain this fall will have really raised the water table. During the summer, we had bouts of heavy rain but within a couple of days after the rain, it was bone dry again. I like the long falls we've had over the past few years but I would gladly trade a week or so of fall for a nicer spring!

About five inches of snow is now on the ground and things are all tucked in for the winter. It's suppose to be quite a mild next few months for most of the country. Last winter was very mild out west and the only bad thing was the frequent rain and freezing rain events, spring arrived early though!

We still have only 2-3 inches. Aside from one night when it went down close to -20, it has been quite mild and promises to be for the next couple of weeks at least. I wouldn't mind a bit more snow, enough for the kids to play in and go sliding. And, of course, enough for insulation in case it gets cold again. :)