THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

mardatha

Always always keep some under the mattress! Or buried in the back garden. Or hidden in inside coat pockets. etcetc!

[Deleted User]

mardatha wrote: »

Always always keep some under the mattress! Or buried in the back garden. Or hidden in inside coat pockets. etc etc!

I don't keep money under the mattress (or buried in the garden , but I always have a decent chunk in my wallet.

I like to always keep enough on me, to at least fill the car with petrol.

mardatha

Just don't get mugged Bob ...

[Deleted User]

mardatha wrote: »

Just don't get mugged Bob ...

Enough to fill the tank, isn't as much as it sounds.

thriftwizard

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Enough to fill the tank, isn't as much as it sounds.

Well, that depends on the size of your tank! Says the van driver...

[Deleted User]

This unseasonal weather is going to play havoc with the pollination of fruit trees that are in blossom now, bees don't fly under 16 degrees outdoor temperature as they put out more energy than they can physically take in at under that. We may be in for a very decreased apple, pear and plum harvest if this pattern of cold and wet carries on much longer.

DigForVictory

Maybe time to get out the watercolour brushes?
Lend a hand to the bees, as if it's too cold then none of my wassailing will pay off.

Clearly if you have full sized trees, this is no light task, but it has to be worth a try?

GreyQueen

Bumblebees (just about my favourtist critter) can fly at 13 c by spending 5 mins shivering their flight muscles to raise their temperature. I've seen red tailed bumblebee queens flying on unusually warm days in mid-January before now. They can fly when honeybees can't.

I'm managing my allotment to be bee-friendly, as always, and the 10% not under cultivation is presently under a carpet of red nettles, chickweed and white dead nettles/ dandelions which are all being fed on by several different bumblers. Have yet to see a honeybee anywhere.

Has been a washout here for the best part of a week with the exception of yesterday (was at archery after work) but it's promised to be better at the weekend. I shall be gardening and pleased to see bees of any stripe or caliber.

DawnW

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

This unseasonal weather is going to play havoc with the pollination of fruit trees that are in blossom now, bees don't fly under 16 degrees outdoor temperature as they put out more energy than they can physically take in at under that. We may be in for a very decreased apple, pear and plum harvest if this pattern of cold and wet carries on much longer.

I fear you are right The blossom on my trees came out just as the weather turned bad (again)... except for the quince tree, which is only just now deciding to open a few of the tight buds that have been in situ for weeks. I got very few quinces last year because the blooms were destroyed by frost, and it is interesting that the buds have held for so long this year in comparison.

[Deleted User]

We have an old well established apple tree on the front lawn which is always late flowering and this year we only have tight buds on the terminals of the branches, not a glimpse of green yet so hopefully when the blossom does finally appear we'll be that bit warmer and the bees will be flying. Bumbles may be our salvation this year if the blossom survives the bad weather and night frosts that is!