Hello Winter

Nice of you to join us at last

I for one was very pleased when the frost and snow arrived in earnest.  Yes I know it can cause problems and send news broadcasters into a frenzy, but I like to have proper seasons.

From an allotment point of view, I have always believed that deep frosts through the winter are a key part of our year.  They kill off the bugs in the soil (much needed after last year’s wet and mild summer) and help to break up the soil – something my back is very grateful for.

The cold weather can also help kill off our bugs as well.  The trick is, when the cold weather hits, not to turn up the heating and just wear a T shirt as this is unhealthy and rather costly.  Instead, keep the heating where it is and just wear extra layers – I tend to make sure I am wearing a couple of pairs of socks around the house, as this keeps me feeling cosy.

I have worked for both the NHS and local council and noticed that both organisations have their heating up so high in the winter that members of staff are in shirt sleeves and even having to open the windows – they are also both making cuts and redundancies because they have no money.  Hmmm I wonder what they could do about that….