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and stand it on the patio instead.I remember the Big Freeze of 1963 very well - enjoying deep snow as a young boy - and do recall finding dead pigeons in our garden that must have frozen to death! Quite how any birds survive outside during such cold weather

What a freezing start to 2009 it's been. It's absolutely perishing down here in Bath and must be almost unbearable further north, or east for that matter. The watering can outside my back door is solid with ice and even the curly kale is looking

of worms, slugs and beetles. But it’s too small, which is bad enough in summer, but with all the freezing temperatures of late the composting process has come to a complete standstill. Compost heaps break down quicker in summer because the bacteria involved

I'm really loving this freezing weather. My hands and feet aren't very happy, though, despite my recent investment in 'serious' socks. What's making me so happy is the thought of all those garden pests perishing during the frosty nights.I'm hoping

:FOR THE FILLING:10-15 plums, halved1 tablespoon of water1 tablespoon of sugarCinnamonMixed spice1 thumb-length of fresh gingerPreheat oven to 180°C . Cook the plums over a low heat with the water and sugar. When almost cooked, turn off the heat, allow to cool a

A term used to describe plants that are unable to stand frost or freezing temperatures.

for codling moth larvae. Once they’ve been removed, everything else goes in – even the odd bit of grass.The apples need to be broken up before being squashed, and I copy Eric’s method of freezing them solid, then defrosting them thoroughly. Freezing breaks

. But others haven’t been so lucky.I asked Jules Howard at Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) what was going on. He explained that because male frogs often lie dormant at the bottom of ponds during winter, they’re prone to dying when the ponds freeze over

't miss a bargainFinish clearing fallen leavesTurn off the mains water supply to outside taps and wrap with insulation to prevent freezingWater pots of spring bulbsFloat waterproof pond heaters in fish ponds to prevent ice covering the surfaceGive pots

fruitsPick fresh herbs to freeze in ice cubes for winter use, or to hang and dry to store in jars