Preparing for Winter V

Grabs39

That's a good idea (for the car - we have a dog so don't salt the driveway or steps) - better than using the boot mat!    I have snow socks somewhere, but I'm fairly confident they don't fit either of our cars so be a good time of year to sell them I suppose.

Uniscots97 - according to the Sainsburys website rock salt (for eating) is £1 for 350g but Dishwasher salt is £2.75 for 3KG!

Laura_Elsewhere

Uniscots97 said:

Laura_Elsewhere said:

We found dishwasher-salt granules are the best thing to carry in a car for icy conditions - it works immediately as physical grit, because it is hard little granules instead of normal salt, and then it works as salt once it starts to thaw a little, and thus prevents the cleared area re-freezing as it would if you just used grit. 

And it's cheaper than buying food-grade salt!  

So we keep some by the door in winter for the icy back steps, and some in the car just in case. Just strew it around by hand and it makes an immediate difference!

I didn't realise it was cheaper than food grade salt

When I last checked, it was cheaper than rock-salt or food-salt, per kilo, and far more effective than either! 

wondercollie

Husband put the snowies on back in October.  We've got 15cm of snow so far today with more expected and an overnight low of -12 forecast.

Kitty litter works great or just plain old sand.  My son usually has at least 100 pounds of sand in the back of his pick up in winter.  Gives traction on icy spots and the weight helps keep the truck on the road.  

I'd also suggest keeping a small spade/shovel in your car supplies.  I've had to dig out more than once.

boultdj

Stepdad use to put a bag of sand in my boot for winter back in the 80's for helping to keep the car on the road when icy.

Fluffy blankets are in Lidl this week, so 2 have been bought  for use when watching the idiot box at night, just need the cat to let me open them up.......

Grabs39

wondercollie said:

Husband put the snowies on back in October.  We've got 15cm of snow so far today with more expected and an overnight low of -12 forecast.

Kitty litter works great or just plain old sand.  My son usually has at least 100 pounds of sand in the back of his pick up in winter.  Gives traction on icy spots and the weight helps keep the truck on the road.  

I'd also suggest keeping a small spade/shovel in your car supplies.  I've had to dig out more than once.

We normally only get 2/3 days of snow a year, with a couple of exceptions over the last ten years.

it’s unseasonably warm here in NE England this year, about 10-14 during the day.  I’ve done the last cut of the lawn three times now! 

littlemoney

I would like to cut my very long grass but it is just too wet. Overnight frost and/or fog means the grass does get dry enough to cut and that is the sunny places.

littlemoney

Finally got the grass cut yesterday but I have a feeling it may not be the last cut of the year.

MrsCD

Managed to cut our lawn on Wednesday when it was nice and sunny, but the grass was still a bit claggy on the underside of the mower, so I had to give it a good clean before I put it away.  Anyhow it's done and won't be done again until next year.

littlemoney

MrsCD said:

Managed to cut our lawn on Wednesday when it was nice and sunny, but the grass was still a bit claggy on the underside of the mower, so I had to give it a good clean before I put it away.  Anyhow it's done and won't be done again until next year.

I have said that before at this time of year, been proved wrong and had to get the mower out again.

MingVase

Talk on the Scottish weather forums of much colder weather end of next week, poss some snow.