How do you stay warm and motivated at the plot during winter?

[lottie dolly]

Always have warm layes on,most important to have 1 of them tucked well in down over your hips,i find loose top clothing holds the heat in better,especially the leggs,as they can get cold but you not realize,as your minds on hands and toes,good boots,with room for not only socks but air room,hands the same really,i have given thought to making myself a balaclava type hat,extra thickness over the ears area,as i suffer badly with ear ache if not well covered,,also important is somewere to shelter,have a warm drink,and a seat to sit and look at how well youv'e done,that gives inspiration to carry on,even on another day,

[veggiechicken]

Lottie, I usually wear one of these round my neck. Stops the draughts down your collar and if its cold you can pull it up over your ears and onto your head. or take it off completely, pull the drawstring and you have a hat. Fleece Snood / Neck Warmer Scarf - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

[kernowyon]

like most on here it's layers of clothing, and a woolly hat is a must. On really cold days extra socks and trackies under jeans.

Also a flask of tomato soup, perfect as a pick me up (but has to be in a tin mug to get the full hand-warming benefit). For motivation, setting myself a target e.g. digging x rows or clearing/tidy an area before having aforementioned soup is always good.

[Cue the Toms]

Simple.

I will sit in my shed with the heater on, the kettle on reading through the whole years GYO mags contemplating my 2013 growing plans.

Chris

[horticultural_hobbit]

A battered hoody, layers of t shirts and cardigans and heavy jeans with two pairs of socks. One has the circulation of a dead gnat, as well as thermo mugs of tea.

[BarleySugar]

I put tights on underneath leggings, layers of top clothes in the same way as others, and the double layer socks you can buy for hiking on the feet. When it's really blowing a gale at our plot, popping into the shed, putting the kettle on using the camping cooker (warms the shed too), then retiring for a nice warm brew. The hot cup helps thaw out the hands too.

[themadcatlady]

lots of thin layers. warm drinkis ,chocolates a good sticky inside warmer.or bovril type drinks.much better than coffee or tea imo..and warm up before working , then just keeping active, ive been outside sweating in feb in a tee shirt being that busy but the wind can chap exposed skin though

[Peppermint]

Some of summer days have been like winter here! My golly has the wind whistled in Orkney this year. Our most inspired buy was a set of thermal ski underwear each. Then we layer up, using our old walking clothes. These are made of fabrics which are designed for rougher weather and as the better ones get tattier looking they are re-purposed as gardening clothes. I don't care what I look like as long as I'm warm! My best tip is wearing a pair of hand knitted woollen socks inside your muck boots or wellies. I'm extremely lucky though as my daughter knits fabulous socks. Once I'm all wrapped up I've no problem going outside as I'm so excited to have a place of my own. Last year we were out in all weathers - just nipping into the shed when it got a little too wet!

[zazen999]

The more you moan about the cold, the more jobs I'll find for you to do. Here, start with this list and that should warm you up.

[lottie dolly]

Simple.

I will sit in my shed with the heater on, the kettle on reading through the whole years GYO mags contemplating my 2013 growing plans.

Chris

are you skipping christmas

[MrBloom]

I put the kettle on in the allotment shed and fire up the Parkray log burner to keep mi cockles warm

[Parsleythelion]

Invest in a camping stove so you can have a continual supply of tea and coffee (and warm your hands on the flames). Wear a hat (optional -with ear flaps - nothing worse than the cold ear headache!!!). Gloves and thick thermal socks to keep the extremeties warm and a good, warm, waterproof coat. A good pair of lined wellies and take a spare set of clothes with you in case you get caught out in the rain.

Personally, I get ribbed at my allotment for only wearing a t-shirt and jeans in all weathers!! Although I sometimes wear a jumper if it gets really cold, I'm not mad!!!!

[binley100]

Keeping warm ........down vto lots of layers and hard work
Motivation..........not having to pay supermarket prices and knowing my veg goes straight from plot to the table .......