One of those home-improvement store dahlias that I was talking about back in September didn't form buds until about two weeks ago. The tubers were labeled as Otto's Thrill, which characteristically has pink blooms at least 10" in diameter. Well, they're definitely not Otto's Thrill but somehow I'm not disappointed. Only two (4") flowers came up, but they're gorgeous! I'm looking forward to digging up and dividing the tubers with hopes for a better season for them next year.
The dahlias are one of the last things still going in the garden. Halloween marks the average last frost date for our area, so even they will be shutting down for the season soon. Fortunately, I'm pretty much ready for winter now. Everything is mulched down with compost, leaves, and grass clippings-- whatever I could get my hands on. The tomato plants have been pulled out. The salvageable cabbages have been cut and stored. The marjoram is cloched, and cuttings of tender herbs have been rooted and brought indoors. Only the dahlias, snow peas, arugula, and eggplant are out there at the weather's mercy now, along with a few hardy perennial herbs.
I miss vegetable season already. Is it spring yet?
