Frost

[posie]

Ok, probably a very dull question but........

I've just moved as much new stuff as I can (raspberry canes, patio apple etc) into my plastic greenhouses to try and protect them from the frost.  Is that actually going to do any good or should I think about maybe putting a blanket over the greenhouses themselves  ???  d**n plants are more cossetted and warm than I am!!!

[posie]

[manicscousers]

just looked at met check for our area, not predicted less than 2 degrees, I'm not sure if you need to protect the rasps and apple tree  :)
no doubt someone who knows will be along soon  ;D

[posie]

Looks like -1 Sunday night and -3 on Monday and the plants are very very young.  But then having said that, it'll all change when I check the weather tomorrow!

[mellor]

while we're talking forst.....

My damson and gage are in full bloom, i was thinking of fleecing them until monday/tuesday any thoughts.

They are young trees and this will be there first proper fruiting season.

[davyw1]

The main problem or should i say my main worry at this time of year is not so much the frost, its what may come with it HAILSTONES. They knock the pollen of the fruit trees, thus no or limited pollination. So it is allways worth taking precautions.

[compo49]

Frost/snow/low temp. Hi all , i checked met check for my area West Yorkshire and from tomorrow onwards till Thurs/Friday its not good overnight. As i have just planted potatoes I'm going to cover them with a sheet polythene over the bed, will keep them warm and snug and stop frost getting to them. Wife says i care more for allotment/veg's than her, its only because i enjoy it all when it all comes to fruition (hopefully)

[star]

I did that too Compo, I put the plastic down today while it was sunny, then put some carpet over that this evening. It will come off next week ::)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Rasps are completely hardy. Apples will only be harmed if they're actually in flower, in which case you won't get fruit this year. They've both been grown outdoors for long enough!

[compo49]

I've covered my potatoes but what do i do about fruit trees? I planted a cheery tree about 1 to 2 wks ago and planted a nectarine this week, so what can you protect them with against frost etc! I suppose i could rap them in fleece if need be or plastic sheet but what about the ground IE. The roots area. any suggestions  :-\

[Robert_Brenchley]

Is your fruit flowering? What is it? Mine's nowhere near.

[Vortex]

Frost penetration is estimated to be about 1" per -1oC on a continued basis. If your potatoes are more than 3" deep then a couple of nights of low temperatures won't touch them, and if you get any snow then that'll further protect them from the frost.
Any snow thaw will cool the ground but with the gaining strength of the sun when its out it won't take more than a couple of days to warm up again.
Apart from the danger posed by high winds and rain/snow to blossom, the biggest threat is actually frost/snow damage to germinated seedlings not under sealed cloches or glass. Everything else should just go back to sleep for a few days.

[compo49]

Hi Robert. No there not flowering only got leaves on cherry and nectarine is just producing leaves. can't tell you types as all info in shed on allotment. Understand point if their in flower as will kill flowers and will not pollinate this year. just taking precautions as their young trees and just planted! Can you help please. compo.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Your trees won't be harmed at all, so don't worry.

[SMP1704]

It must be bad, Wyevales were laying fleece over all the bedding plants - I have never seen that before :o

[posie]

I actually put blankets over my greenhouses last night, good thing I did because when I checked them at 8am they were only just at 0 degrees.