Forecast for the 2011/2012 winter for gardeners?

nanto3girls

oldtractor wrote: »

maybe it will confound us all and be very mild.

Hope so.............

kazschow

taxsaver wrote: »

... but how do you safely hook that up to your house system so that it doesn't blow when the mains comes back on? Or are you running an extension lead in through a window, which perhaps (with the cold that will also enter) defeats the object?

Use it on extensions, we have a second electrical ring built into our house, that runs off of a generator, as our area gets a fair few power outs. So we have double sockets next to about 20% of the normal ones, that run off the genny. Also if you have a flat top log burner, remember you can dook on that if all else fails

tilly_willow

We're going with the 'Prepare for the worst, hope for the best' approach. We're in the warmer south east but will take nothing for granted. DH is looking at ways he can insulate the greenhouse better than previously so that the heating we have will keep everything from freezing. He was very unhappy to lose his huge cactus that survived the year before, I wasn't so sad, it was lethal with 3 inch spikes I could have used to give injections!!

scottishminnie

kazschow wrote: »

Use it on extensions, we have a second electrical ring built into our house, that runs off of a generator, as our area gets a fair few power outs. So we have double sockets next to about 20% of the normal ones, that run off the genny. Also if you have a flat top log burner, remember you can dook on that if all else fails

Can I hop in and ask a question please? (sorry for hijacking the thread a bit)

we are also subject to quite a number of power cuts - 3 last winter of more than 24 hours and we don't want a repeat this year however because we are rural (lower population) we aren't a priority for getting it back on.

Hubby and I planned to buy a genny for this winter- really only need it to power the central heating (kerosene but needs electricity to fire the boiler up) and to keep the 2 freezers ticking over. We've been quoted upwards of £5000 and told we need a much bigger generator than we thought. What does your 1kw power? and if I can be really rude - how much did it cost?

We had £2000 put towards it but we've pretty much been laughed at - one distributor suggested I just go to Tesco and get some candles and firelighters if that was all we were planning to spend:eek:

Thanks

Eenymeeny

scottishminnie wrote: »

Can I hop in and ask a question please? (sorry for hijacking the thread a bit)

we are also subject to quite a number of power cuts - 3 last winter of more than 24 hours and we don't want a repeat this year however because we are rural (lower population) we aren't a priority for getting it back on.

Hubby and I planned to buy a genny for this winter- really only need it to power the central heating (kerosene but needs electricity to fire the boiler up) and to keep the 2 freezers ticking over. We've been quoted upwards of £5000 and told we need a much bigger generator than we thought. What does your 1kw power? and if I can be really rude - how much did it cost?

We had £2000 put towards it but we've pretty much been laughed at - one distributor suggested I just go to Tesco and get some candles and firelighters if that was all we were planning to spend:eek:

Thanks

I have heard suggestions of buying second hand generators at farm auctions? Sorry, I know nothing about them but remember reading that tip. Hope that you get something at a reasonable price. Apparently Lidl and Aldi feature them sometimes but I would get some info on their performance first.:)

COOLTRIKERCHICK

scottishminnie wrote: »

Can I hop in and ask a question please? (sorry for hijacking the thread a bit)

we are also subject to quite a number of power cuts - 3 last winter of more than 24 hours and we don't want a repeat this year however because we are rural (lower population) we aren't a priority for getting it back on.

Hubby and I planned to buy a genny for this winter- really only need it to power the central heating (kerosene but needs electricity to fire the boiler up) and to keep the 2 freezers ticking over. We've been quoted upwards of £5000 and told we need a much bigger generator than we thought. What does your 1kw power? and if I can be really rude - how much did it cost?

We had £2000 put towards it but we've pretty much been laughed at - one distributor suggested I just go to Tesco and get some candles and firelighters if that was all we were planning to spend:eek:

Thanks

what about somewhere like machine mart for a gennie?

I have found these deisel ones, they also do petrol

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/categories/search/heavy-duty-diesel-driven-generators

they seem cheaper than what you have been quoted.

plus if you do order on line go through quidco, they are offering 5% cashback

it might be worth talking to someone about these, someone who isnt trying to sell you one, so you will get un-biased advice

annie123

The first 2 ladybirds have moved into the usual kitchen spot:(
It's not that I don't like them, they are welcome to over winter here but it doesn't bode well for the Indian summer I was hoping for.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

annie123 wrote: »

The first 2 ladybirds have moved into the usual kitchen spot:(
It's not that I don't like them, they are welcome to over winter here but it doesn't bode well for the Indian summer I was hoping for.

better dust down the old hot water bottle, and get my thermal ready...

I must admit i am finding it quite chilly in the nights now...allready

emiff6

lostinrates wrote: »

....and it IS beautiful, and as long as things that need protecting are protected, its a very special way to enjoy our gardens....I admit, I adore it...the snow, the hoar frosts....all of it....both bring the garden a beauty even the best gardeners can't...

[img]http://www.freesmileys.org/custom/image/white%5E_%5Earial%5E_%5E3%5E_%5E2%5E_%5EI agree!%5E_%5E.gif[/img]

lostinrates

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

better dust down the old hot water bottle, and get my thermal ready...

I must admit i am finding it quite chilly in the nights now...allready

tonight I have lit the woodburner. It went on a few days ago for a brief spell too. I can't believe this from me, I#'m normally a die hard resister to early heat usage!