Topic: late frosts

[laurieuk]

This can apply to all plants edible or flowers, at this time of year we all want to get things planted and sometimes take a chance with the weather. If you have planted out tender plants and suddenly find we have had a frost and your plantswere not protected, if you can get out before the sun gets on the plants and using water from a butt, not tap water, and you spray over the frozen plats you can thaw them safely. You must not use warm water or you will badly damage them. I have saved many plants in this way.

[tonybloke]

very good advice, Laurie!! (fruit farmers do this with apple blossom) ;)

[MrBean]

Does this work with spuds and runner beans? Very useful if it does........mine are a foot high  :o

[beckydore]

I was wondering about them too. I've got mange tout, broccoli, cabbage, romanesco and other things that are almost bursting out of their pots and was wondering whether I could take a chance and put them on the plot.
Becky

[Tee Gee]

if you can get out before the sun gets on the plants

There was a day when I could be found running around the garden at the break of day in my jim jams but not any more 8) ;D

But it is sound advice!

[tim]

Brassica? Mine are all out.

[tim]

Better. Too late to 'modify' - so .......

Couple more rows elsewhere.

[thifasmom]

I was wondering about them too. I've got mange tout, broccoli, cabbage, romanesco and other things that are almost bursting out of their pots and was wondering whether I could take a chance and put them on the plot.
Becky

my mangetout has been out since the weekend before Easter and have been fine and it is definitely OK for all brassicus, i have been putting them out since Easter break as and when they get big enough to handle the odd slug :-X.

PS I'm in Kent.

[laurieuk]

Does this work with spuds and runner beans? Very useful if it does........mine are a foot high  :o

I have been having pc troubles so late in replying  but yes it will work with almost anything. The frost damage is generally done by a quick thaw but using COLD water this slows up the thaw. In my opinion the best covering for tender plats is dry bracken being a natural thing if it gets wet it dries out but straw etc stays wet and attracts frost and things like fleece create a false warm effect which can cause a problem when removing.

[sawfish]

thanks Laurieuk, I like your style.

[laurieuk]

thanks Laurieuk, I like your style.

Thank you sawfish for your comments I try to say, what I do and believe but it may not be other peoples way or the books way. I do not think gardening is a subject of right and wrong.

[saddad]

I fleeced up the cucurbits in the big greenhouse last night... it was so cold..  :o