On 01/02/2014 20:20, Adam Lea wrote:
In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to
spring are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees
that are more adapted to proper seasons?

We still have roses, pot marigolds and pelargoniums outside in flower.
The grass is growing annoying long but the ground too saturated to use a
lawn mower. Snowdrops are out, crocus not far off and the first
daffodils are just turning their heads down - a few fine days and they
will be out. Blackcurrants could be in big trouble if it turns cold as
they broke dormancy and budded up again in December. The unforced
rhubarb is also well on its way (again could be ruined by a cold snap)!

There hasn't actually been an air frost to speak of this year. Enough to
kill very tender semitropical "annual" plants but nothing else. The odd
ground frost has occurred but even yesterday when there was ice on the
roof of the car the grass wasn't white it just had a heavy dew.

I think there may have been about half a dozen white frosty mornings so
far this winter but the air temperature remained positive (just). They
have been sufficiently well spaced that plants have fully recovered.

We may get a plague of aphids next summer like in 1978? as a result
(ISTR a year about then with inch deep aphids).

--
Regards,
Martin Brown