Preparing for Winter V

Laura_Elsewhere

There are still WEEKS of summer yet to go - but I think my mind is saying: "right, well that's 6-8 weeks of vest-and-shorts weather, and all the plants look tired and half-dead and dried-out - it must be the end of summer now!"

I *feel* like it's autumn!!

LadyhavershamLost

I was out for a walk with my tiniest child and we found a patch of very ripe blackberries - seems far too early.....very nice they were too!


We have sounded out a few apple trees in the locality that I were unaware of as well

Wednesday2000

Laura_Elsewhere wrote: »

A friend who trained as a butler (!) told me that the vacuum bags are really bad for long-term storage as they break the fibres and leave permanent creases and can lead to tears along the crease-lines; also, they aren't actually air-tight so don't protect against moth-eggs hatching, if moths are a problem, and they also won't keep out mould, but will actively encourage it

He enlightened me on that little lot just after I'd bought four vacuum-storage bags, bah humbug!

That happened to me! I was horrified to find mould all over the stuff I had stored in the vacuum bags I had bought. It was disgusting!:eek:

Primrose

I have three blackberry bushes in our garden. I fear there will be few blackberries this autumn to mix in with my other soft fruit compotes as all the forming berries are just brown shrivelled up little blobs, even though I've been trying to spare a little grey kitchen water for them.


it's going to be a hard winter for the birds because many of the berries on trees and shrubs won't be forming properly either for the same reason. I think the consequences of this very dry summer are going to be felt for many months into the future, not only for wildlife, but reflected in the prices of agricultural goods in the shops.

downshifter

Farmers round here (Peak Park) have been feeding their animals for a while as the fields are bare. Price of meat/milk will soar next year, as will lots of other stuff. We'll be importing like mad!

Feel so sorry for the sheep, they look pretty fed up.

smeeth

Finally a cool, grey, wet day.
Amazed by how much it improved my mood!

Primrose

I expect the vegetation and wildlife are gasping with relief but the temperature contrast today has seemed so great that I,ve had to put on a sweeter Suddenlyn myself grumbling about feeling chilly. Truly some people are never happy !

On a more positive note, I think the level in our water butts has probably increased by a massive one inch! Sone days We have to be thankful for small mercies!

Cheapskate

Cheapskate wrote: »

For all it's stonkingly hot here, I feel like I should be starting winter preps - maybe it's because all my fruit trees are going to be ready far earlier than last year, and I'm itching to harvest and cook/freeze them!

When the temp drops a little, I'll be crocheting more blankets for beds, sofas, and in the car, and slowly building wood and coal stocks for the stove. Also looking for a second slow cooker and a few bits of winter clothing for us all, so tootling around various online and RL life sales.

A xx

I harvested most of the eating apples on Friday, due to the forecasted rain and wind, and due to the fact that most of them were ripe - and it's not even August yet!! :eek: Plums were safe in the weather, just a few blown off, but they'll be ready in the next week or two, too!

Going to sort out my wool stash this week, and then I can begin the crocheting for winter. Even if it's not a harsh one, I feel that energy prices are going to rocket, so I want to have plenty of soft and warm things around as a hedge against using the CH. Also going to start buying coal and a bit of wood, next week will take the littlies chumping for kindling in the woods near us, it will have dried again from recent rain.

Going to take my duvet for cleaning next week, and check out all our bedding - littlies need new pillows and sheets, we need a new flannelette one, too, but that's all. HWBs need replacing, but we're all ok for woollies - just need to find 'em all and organise in one place! :rotfl:

A xo

Laura_Elsewhere

We collected our winter duvet the other day from cleaning, and I agree - prices for everything are going to go up, between the cold weather, the hot weather and the political stuff. The more leeway we have, the more choices and options, the better, so yes, I agree with having soft, cosy, warm things around!

I want to get our pillows washed before the hot weather goes, so will probably do that later this week.

fuddle

mardatha wrote: »

Yes, keep the fire in during really cold spells. It warms the bricks and the stone walls and really makes a huge difference.

I will be doing this during really cold spells. I'll switch to the ovals and keep it going overnight. I dabbled last year and found that the ambient heat from the stove was enough to keep the chill from the fabric of the living room. What I need to learn is how to relight the almost ash ovals.

It's Aug1st and the start of the slippery slope to Autumn. My thoughts are focused on winter prep now.

It's a return to actual physical saving pots again for us. I haven't budgeted like this for a while but I feel I need to have access to monetary funds when I need them and I'm likely to need them in an emergency situation.

I'm also keeping a close eye on the gas and electricity usage again. I pay by direct debit and got it within £13 for electricity and £25 gas last April to April. The last thing I want is accrue a large debt with energy companies. Our usage also needs tightening up. The wood store is full and already saving for the refills so I'm hoping to keep it topped up this season while accruing credit with the gas for next season's refill.

I've already knit a chunky snood (asthmatic and dodgy winter chest so wanted something that naturally sits proud of my mouth and nose). I have a pair of socks knitted too. I'm switching to crochet for the next socks as I can 'knock 'em up' faster. crochet comes easy to me. I'm bringing the 2nd wool blanket down for sofa sitting and plan to replace with a granny square blanket for the bedroom.

Food stocks are ongoing and going well. I'm tempted to put youngest DD back on school meals. They have increased by only 5p per day and much better value for money than I can get via supermarket price hikes.

I have my winter veg planted in any spare patch I can get and have 2 pumpkins, 2 jack be little, 3 spaghetti squash, 2 turks turban, 3 festival and hoping for more to pollinate. I hope all goes well with growing and curing so I can store and make use in stews.
The biggest maincrop potatoes are going to be batch jacketed in the oven and frozen as emergency meal ideas.

We're 'redoing' the bathroom. It will consist of panelling the walls for insulation type benefit and we'll also be lining the toilet cistern internally to stop the cold water/warm atmosphere producing condensation on the cistern and that then dripping on the floor/attracting mould spores on the wall behind.

We're also planning on assembling, at some point, a chicken run on the allotment. I need to buy an other tarpaulin to wrap the other side of the shed so water won't penetrate.

I also need to be mindful that our boiler is 14 years old and funds need to be accessible for that.

I just need new vests for the girls and DH needs another thermal work top. I can layer up with old summer stuff/last years autumn stuff but I am looking to transition from jeans wearer to skirts and thermal tights wearer.

I'm going to refresh the medicine cupboard and buy online pain killers and flu preparations, first aid stocks etc. I won't bother with cough mixtures though and look to buy a manuka honey for dire circumstances.

I need change in the house for bus fayre to enable me to get to the doctors if a cold turns to my chest and I'm at risk of serious infection again. Not only am I worried about pneumonia this season but it's highly likely that infection had me develop heart failure and some heart damage. I think I may be obsessive with antibacterial this coming season. I need more thyme for tea making when colds come on, want to pick elderberries for the syrup and have dried berries as back up to make into new stock. I've asked for essential oils for my birthday that are heavily for lung health so I should be covered in that respect.

I think I have flooded you all with my winter prep thoughts.

Today is Lammas and for those of us who're connected to the earth have a blessed Lammas, marking the start of the harvest season. I'm off to go make some Lammas bread to eat with our broth later.