The main thing for the lilies is that the potting mix never becomes bone dry over the winter. The bulbs will probably survive but will be too shrunken to perform well for the following summer if the mix gets to be dust-dry. You didn't say which type of lily: while underground many asiatic, oriental and regal lilies will tolerate a few degrees of frost, even if the mix in the bucket should chance to freeze. So long as it thaws the day after the frosty night. Lilies rest. They don't do 'dormant' like some bulbs, so they need to keep taking in air and water, which freezing prevents. Dahlias are much the same, particularly if you cover them with a light mulch that lets the air through (shredder paper, perhaps, so long as the mousies aren't nest building.) Provided the tubers are covered then hungry bugs, slugs and furry things 'should' leave them alone. For me phlox and hollyhocks aren't completely dormant so I would say - make sure they get the best light you can manage otherwise they'll get to be long and a miserable greeny-yellow (etiolated) and too weak to beat off the bugs when spring comes around. Gladdies - the species ones are already heading into leaf quite early in the spring in this zone. Depending in your growing zone you could be replanting anywhere from January to June. Keep the old mix barely moist - which shouldn't be too hard with the sandy mix they like.

Thank you Dee and everyone. Isn't it nice to be missed? Just had a little spell in hospital but OK now. Paradisi: The snail plant is a prolific creeper, we have four grown from seed, and they cover the side of the garage. The seeds are in a pod which looks like a bean pod, but black. I believe its proper name is Vigna Caracalla - Phaseolus gigantica family: Fabaceae. That is what some members on the GW told me. It is highly perfumed, something like a gardenia and the shape of the flower is gorgeous. Doesn't last long in water but good on the vine. Thanks Goldhills, Pete has grown plenty of veg this year, tomatoes slow due to weather, silver beet, lettuce, carrots & beans- super, but our first pumpkin. Maria, our Shariffa Asma took a while to take off, as did the English Garden, but the wait is worth while. Heather, my friend, how's everything with you and your family? How different to have gladdies growing on the traffic islands, very colourful. Don't they get stolen?

Thanks Misty and Trish. I like to get the gladdies in early to beat the heat.Only pink shades so far but I usually get a few yellow and reds. as for the weather it's pelting down at the moment Sat a.m so send some observations before lunch.The tomatoes -if any-look like abt end of Feb-the beans look good and snails ate the first of the sunflowers. regards to all chas

Yes Tricia we havn't had any colours apart from shades of pink.I still have a few on the way and hoping for some nice yellows and red. at least we have had nice weather so far this summer so hope it continues.Our thoughts go out to all the people suffering in the floods in Queensland. regards chas