. . . and watch out for robins in September

AMATEUR forecaster DAVID

KING gives some of his tips. . . n IF YOU buy UK-grown onions, the thicker the outer skin, the harder the winter to come.

n ROOKS and crows building their nests in the clefts of trees mean that conditions look set to be windy for a few months.

THE earlier robins start looking for winter food — in the first week of September, say — the longer and harder the winter.

THE greater the harvest, the worse the frost later, because nature provides grain and berries for animals to survive it.

OAK trees will retain their leaves for longer if the winter is going to be hard.

THE later blackberries blossom, the longer summer lasts.

IF THE sun shines on Christmas Day, expect a good fruit and grain harvest to come. weatherwithouttechnology.co.uk