Weather.... late 2009

[Sinchets]

That's the main reason why we don't/ can't grow in pots here.

[johnw]

That's the main reason why we don't/ can't grow in pots here.

Simon

We grow in pots here. However they take an extraordinary amount of care and protection. The pots have to be plunged to the rim in fine wood chips or sand in the cold frame.  The frame is then lidded and covered in white poly to prevent heating up when the sun shines.  Even then borderline plants may get killed if the temperatures stay very cold for weeks or months on end.  A few years ago the mild weather continued into late January and things like Hellebores started to grow, then winter arrived and wiped out half of them.  The same plants in the ground made no such mistake though the Trilliums were not so smart - they did survive much to our amazement, a bit singed on the tips.

I wouldn't rule out root damage on an unprotected pot below -2c here, -2c at night with the temperature rising above freezing the next morning might be okay.

Even the troughs have to be set on the ground by early December.

I bet Michael's tender bulbs will be fine in the ground with his -6c low.

johnw

[Anthony Darby]

We had -11^oC last night.

[mark smyth]

and I had -8. Coldest night in a long time. Somewhere in the UK had -15 last night

[Paul T]

I put this in the southern hemisphere topic, but thought it might be worthwhile putting it in here as well.

Since Christmas morning we've had more than 2 inches or rain at my place so far..... absolutely fantastic!!  The 36mm in the raingauge this morning (24 hours to 9am) is the largest entry for a day in over 12 months.  The 52mm so far for this "rain event" is also the largest in over 12 months.  We got 63mm one day early last December, and 72mm in total for that rain event.  The last rain event that delivered over 2 inches or rain before that was January 2007.  So this has definitely been a decent bit of rain.  We need to it keep going for a couple more days at least though, with some nice followup as well.  At least this should put some moisture into the soil, at least to a degree.

Definitely a nice present for the Silly Season!! 

[cohan]

I put this in the southern hemisphere topic, but thought it might be worthwhile putting it in here as well.

Since Christmas morning we've had more than 2 inches or rain at my place so far..... absolutely fantastic!!  The 36mm in the raingauge this morning (24 hours to 9am) is the largest entry for a day in over 12 months.  The 52mm so far for this "rain event" is also the largest in over 12 months.  We got 63mm one day early last December, and 72mm in total for that rain event.  The last rain event that delivered over 2 inches or rain before that was January 2007.  So this has definitely been a decent bit of rain.  We need to it keep going for a couple more days at least though, with some nice followup as well.  At least this should put some moisture into the soil, at least to a degree.

Definitely a nice present for the Silly Season!! 

that's really great news! i hope it continues ..

[Michael J Campbell]

The roads are like skating rinks here this morning,and I can't get out to visit my daughter 120 miles away,which I do every year on  ST. Stephens day. can't even walk on the footpath.  The Council haven't bothered to grit the roads for the last three days.

[Anthony Darby]

We haven't seen a gritter since Christmas Eve. Usually they grit the pavements too, except on the days when they are littered with wheely bins and recycling boxes (Mondays in Dunblane)!

[Ray]

Grit the road ? Please explain. bye Ray

[Michael J Campbell]

Grit the road ? Please explain.

The Council have Trucks with a gadget on the back like that which the farmers use to spread fertilizer, and on frosty mornings they spread a mixture of sharp sand (GRIT) and salt on the roads at about 5-30 am to melt the ice and provide some grip for the tyres. 

[Michael J Campbell]

Warnings every 20 minutes on the radio.don't drive and don't even attempt to walk on the footpath.
Who voted those idiots unto the council.?

[Anthony Darby]

Grit the road? Please explain.

The Council have Trucks with a gadget on the back like that which the farmers use to spread fertilizer, and on frosty mornings they spread a mixture of sharp sand (GRIT) and salt on the roads at about 5-30 am to melt the ice and provide some grip for the tyres. 

We had more snow this afternoon, but a gritter went past the house half an hour ago so the road isn't too bad. Our gritters also have a snowplough on the front Michael. http://www.saltsense.co.uk/deicing_home.htm They spread rock salt which is mined in a couple of places in England and also in Northern Ireland. http://www.saltsense.co.uk/aboutsalt-prod03.htm

[angie]

Our road to my house which is a private road ( which means we don't get any help from our council ) is just like a mirror all the way. I questioned myself about buying another 4X4 vehicle but I am glad I did as there would have been no way of getting up our hill which is a mile of sheer ice.
I have seen many years of deep snow but cant remember us having it so icy.
I do hope all my plants will be OK.
Angie

[cohan]

they also use some combination of sand and salt on roads here--not nearly as much salt is used as in eastern canada, more sand here, as its colder, and they typically arent trying to melt away all the snow with the salt as they do down east, just give traction on  a varying layer of packed snow below...
main highways usually clear off quite well, as the speed of vehicles blows most of the snow off as it falls, at least on the main tracks, and they do plow and sand as well...
side (gravel) roads get plowing, and an occasional bit of extra gravel(thats a new thing) but being narrower and less traffic, are much more at risk of being drifted over if wind and snow coincide..no salt or sand on these...
worst roads are inside towns/cities, where traffic is not fast enough to blow the snow off as it does on the highways, and yet heavier traffic packs the snow in making it harder to remove, and more slippery..roads in the nearest city have been a mess for weeks...

[Lori S.]

The roads and highways are "sanded" with gravel around here - it's very hard on windshields.