PLANNING
Dreaming of a quiet winter? Forget it
F
ields cut and grass
baled: check. Firebreaks
made: check.
Firefighting equipment
unpacked, checked and
available for use: check.
Lawnmower serviced and
prepared for winter storage:
check. Frost cloth placed over
vulnerable plants in the
garden: check. Winter
vegetables planted: check.
Horse blankets washed,
repaired and in use: check.
So, as the days become a
parade of endless sunshine
and blue skies and the nights
turn frosty, you can relax
beside a nice warm fire with
a bowl of hearty stew and a
glass of good red wine.
Well, no. You can't.
Here are the jobs that should keep
you busy during the cold months
Because now is the time to
do all the jobs around your
plot that you don't ever have
time for in summer, such as
repairing fences and painting
gates and posts.
F rom page 8
tuned, replacing the car's air
filter and keeping tyres
properly inflated will also
help.
When shopping for your next
car look for the most
efficient, lowest polluting
model or even choose either
a non-polluting car or zero
emission vehicle.
And the endless days of blue
skies and sunshine with
almost no rain make it easy
and convenient to plan and
schedule all the outside
maintenance necessary.
Continued on page 11
AIR QUALITY
Have a look at the depart-
ment of environment's Handy
Guide to Green Cars
(www.environment.gov.za/
sites/default/files/docs/publicat
ions/greencar_handyguide.)
Be more conscious of
products that you use in your
home or at work. Select
products that are water-based
or have low amounts of
volatile organic compounds
(VOCs); use water-based
paints and paint with a brush,
9
www.sasmallholder.co.za
Repairing a fence could mean
nothing more than tightening
the odd loose wire, or
replacing hopelessly corroded
wires with new strands. More
often than not, however, it
will mean resetting posts that
have pulled out of the
not a sprayer; store solvents
in air-tight containers; use a
push or electric lawn mower.
Use safer products, such as
bicarbonate of soda instead
of harsh chemical cleaners.
Instead of using chemical-
filled air fresheners, use
essential oils, herbs and
flowers to make your home
smell nice
Limit the fires on your
smallholding. Adhere to veld
fire prevention protocols.