Am I the only one freaking out about the possibility of frost tonight? You all see remakably calm....! I've been ferrying chillies from outside to in, wishing I had more space in the greenhouse, hurling fleece about the place and brought in all the houseplants that were having a lovely hol outside! Lottie ???
Not panicking about frost despite living in Lincolnshire - it will come awhen it comes and all things tender will cease to be. However, I was shocked to see a short flurry of sleet today.
Calm? yes most definitely. No longer worry about the weather or anything I can't control. Doesn't seem any point. Mind you, thats because I don't really have anything that will be a problem to the frost, and my allotment is a prime target if frost is going to hit.
Look on the bright side, the parsnips will be ready earlier ! Â ;D
Derekthefox :D
So you think I should stop running about like headless chicken, and accept this gracefully? Just one more chilli plant....then I'll sit back and chill....with me chillies.. ;) Lottie
Talking about running ...
Just got in from my 6m run, in T shirt and shorts
It is seriously cold out there
time to buy some longjohns methinks
Derekthefox :D
Hi UCP
You keep running around the heat you produce may keep the frost of. ;D ;D
LOL!! Me,..........for most of the day........
(http://bestsmileys.com/hyper/9.gif)
Quote from: Derekthefox on September 16, 2005, 18:34:01
Talking about running ...
Just got in from my 6m run, in T shirt and shorts
It is seriously cold out there
time to buy some longjohns methinks
Derekthefox :D
If it's cold - put a shirt on ;D
PS Lottie - is that you in your new avatar? Have you considered striking a Derek pose similarly clad? :o
Hmmm looks like I might have set a trend here, this might be interesting ... ;D
Derekthefox :D
Just come back from walking the doggies and I was glad I had a fleece on my back. Autumn is definitely on our doorstep! I have taken cuttings of most of my plants and the rest will just have to fend for themselves I am afraid. Keep warm everyone !
;D ;)
LOL!! I would Redclanger, but the site has already been down once this week...... ;);D Lottie
Nice Avatar Derek!! Is this the friday night Derek?
I hope there is a frost - the sloes are looking good, and i've got 2L of gin sitting here ready to go...
Friday, Sat, any night ...
And Red Clanger is asking the ladies to follow suit ... Â ;D ;D ;D
Derekthefox :D
Hmmm this is getting off topic ... Apologies Lottie ok?
Please put a shirt on old boy, you're making me feel decidedly ill :P
Brrrr, it's too cold!!
Back on topic, sorry....
If it is going down to 3 degrees C tonight do I need to pop out and get my pumpkins in?
Sorry Merry dear chap, tis Friday night and I have been requested to do a turn ... :)
I suggest a glass of rhubarb wine might make you join the party !
Derekthefox :D
Sorry, my fault it went off topic. Although I won't take all the blame Derek!!
I was wondering about the butternuts?? but as they are on a vine they are staying out!
Not sure, Tulippa, but I always go into overdrive and bring anything in that may be tender, so, to sum up, if me, then I would...! Lottie ;D
Fair enough D. I bet it keeps the birds off your peas though
Not worried about frost and I am up here in Dundee, it's cold but doubt there wil be any frost.
Don't blame yourself for taking the thread off topic Aussie Chick, as Lottie does it all the time, but I do feel guilty steering it away as it is her thread ... ;D
But then it's Friday night and I am definitely in party mode ...
So I feel less guilty ... woohoo !
Derekthefox :D
Party boy!! I'm enjoying the wine with you Derek!!
Hope you're joining in Lottie, considering this is your thread! ;D
Feeling a little underdressed for a party though, perhaps I should have worn a dickie bow? ;D
Derekthefox :D
(http://tcwozere.co.uk/smileys/biggrinking.gif)
Squashes can take a "light" frost, or so they say...........................bit blooming early for a frost in these parts! (any parts quite frankly ;D )
I know DP!! Got a real shock when watched the weather. Still in Indain summer mode here..... ;D Lottie
Hey lottie,did you watch GW tonight Even Monty said to look out for FROST and cover plants or move soft plants inside
run girl run, lol
all the best
windy
Lottie Now you have got me worried and I don't worry easily!! As I am off to Brussels Fri morn for few days maybe I should get some plants in greenhouse pronto!!!! Crikey that means a lot of work in next few days, toms & cues still in G.H. and no shelving or capillary matting up yet. Maybe I will go and turn floodlight on now 22.40pm and go to work. NAH on second thoughts I will have a cuppa and a cig and go to bed. ::) ::) Lorna.
Oooo don't mention ciggies, Lorna!! Sounds lovely, but nearly made a year without!!! So on Sep 30th big pressie!!! And Windy, I have it covered... ;) ......literally!! ;D Lottie
Aussie Chick, have just read the postings - I wasn't complaining, more apologising for interrupting the entertaining flow of posts and panicking about my pumpkins! Would have loved to join in the party! Not that anyone would want to see me without my shirt on! I'm not as photgenic as some people...
Me neither, not photogenic at all!! ;D ;D ;D ;D I was just having a giggle.
So did anyone have a frosty night? Most of my chillis went into the greenhouse last week along with the aubergines. The toms on the allotment are in a sundrenched spot, naked of leaves, so am hoping they will carry on for a time longer. Squashes have been coming home as the plants die back, mine die earlier as they have no extra water so do seem to exhaust themselves a couple of weeks before others, but a light frost should'nt do them much harm.
Tis exciting though...definate change of season. Turned the heating on for an hour last night. brrr Right, still early, I am going back to my bed for a bit....
Just had a quick pootle outside, and don't think there was a frost here in Suffolk. Though ***** cold though!!! So all my running about last night....at least chillies etc all under cover now, so that's done!! Good plan EJ!!! Off back under the covers too....Kate ;D
Got most things fleeced. But forgot to harvest the last of my sweetcorn...chances of its survival??
Sun is shining lovely morning so have decided to spend w/e trying to get some plants in greenhouse. Rest will have to take their chances.. Lorna jnr is working all week so I have promised to do all her ironing and any other jobs ready for our escape Fri morning. Hope everyone has a free frost time to be able to get plants/crops protected. Lorna.
PS Lottie good for you re ciggies, Iwas a heavy smoker, gave up when I had cancer started again when I lost Charlie, sheer lack of willpower but only have about 5 a day now.
No sign of frost outside, but the allotment's in a frost pocket so there may be the possibility of a surprise later. It was colder yesterday (I haven't been out), but we don't usually get many frosts. This year was exceptional though, with frost in mid-June.
It did just what they said and went down to 4 degrees, everything looks fine this morning thank goodness. A beautiful sunny day.
We had a frost in West berkshire - my basil, gourgettes and cucumbers are all black, still i've had plenty off them. Suprisingly my tomatoes faired ok, probably because there shielded from the morning sun by all my sweetcorn.
Just dug up two rows of spuds - thats seen my back off for the weekend.
Just got back from the lottie, which is about 4 miles away, and really exposed. I think that one side of my runners got a touch of frost!! Beans on North side are looking really limp and sad, other side fine!! Weird.....Lottie :-\
Yes had a hard one in wing bucks but hasn't killed much.
My French beans are looking unwell! :-\
Oh dear, TM, sounds like that they suffered a bit like my runners..... :'( Lottie
No damage here, all my weeds are looking very healthy ...
Derekthefox :D
No damage at all here in Ware. Thank god for that !
;D ;)
Managed to clear a border of fu*hsias and geraniums, also took 30 more cuttings.The border I cleared is going to be just for shrubs next year. Didn't manage to plant clematis (birthday present) but they are safe. Although it's late sowed just a few of the Aquilegia seeds that Georgie kindly sent me. Sorted area out to grow more veg next year. Thats enough for one day hope the sun shines tomorrow. Hope you are all having a good w/e. No frost here . Lorna.
Quote from: undercarriage plan on September 17, 2005, 15:47:24
Oh dear, TM, sounds like that they suffered a bit like my runners..... :'( Lottie
Cheer up. There's always turnip soup to look forward to... :-\
Thought you were trying to cheer me up, TM.... ;)! On the other hand, and don't laugh, but had my first ever taste of home grown, roasted butternut squash.. was absolutely delicious!!! Yum yum!!! Lottie ;D
No frosts here in the smoke either, but I have taken a number of Pelagonium cuttings today just in case. Eugh Lottie, I tried Butternut squash in the week and I really don't like it.  :( Hey Lorna, glad you've got your Aquilegia seeds in. I must have pulled up about 3,000 seedlings today which had spread into various pots.  ;)
G xx
Down to 2.5 down here in Dorchester last night. (see my thread in 'the Shed' for more). No harm done apparently, though the runner beans I picked this evening, i swear smelt differently to normal. Or maybe just my imagination. Have to see how they eat later!
Didnt bother taking anything in, since the GH is full of tomato plants in pots which i brought in to help ripen the last fruits up. So not much room for anything else!
At this time fo year when it doesnt mater too much i like to try an push the boundaries of hardiness as far as they will go (or maybe i am just lazy!). Most plants (that i grow) are tough enough and mature enough by now to take a bit of low temperature before they are finished doing their stuff.
Georgie, it will become my mission in life to convert you....and being the world's worst cook, could take a while... ;D Lottie :-\
Despite the protests of my (non gardening) other half, I made him sit thru gardeners world with me, and when Monty mentioned the frost I was reasonably complacent. A few hours later I suddenly remembered my little pepper plant (slugs got all the others), and panicked. 10pm saw me dragging on wellies and warm coat to go cover the plant, fortunately the allotment is only a short walk away. Other half toasty on the sofa watched my preparations with amusement and then said hmmm, are you sure its safe to go out alone? OK, I said, you can come with me - his face fell in horror. I felt very relieved when we got back, but I think other half will be muttering and chuckling about humanitarian aid for plants for a while.
My outdoor high/low thermometers have not dropped under 12c at night, but the temp has dropped during the day, last week it was up about 26 this week dropped to 22 at times.
Mind you it is not usually the cold that does the damage down here. It's the damp.
Quote from: ACE on September 18, 2005, 10:05:25
My outdoor high/low thermometers have not dropped under 12c at night, but the temp has dropped during the day, last week it was up about 26 this week dropped to 22 at times.
Mind you it is not usually the cold that does the damage down here. It's the damp.
So where are you then ACE?
Here in Tunbridge Wells the night time temperature hasn't dropped below 15C.
So where are you then ACE?
The South Island across the solent.
Quote from: undercarriage plan on September 17, 2005, 22:19:20
Georgie, it will become my mission in life to convert you....and being the world's worst cook, could take a while... ;D Lottie :-\
Yikes, do I wanna be converted?  ??? I will NEVER eat sprouts!Â
G xx
How about butternut squash wine, and sprout rum......LOL!!! I'll cover them in ketchup, like kids do to eat them ::) ::) ::) Lottie ;D
Eugh, I'd rather eat sprouts and butternut squash than ketchup.  Looks like you've won already!  ::)
G xx
;D
went to the lotment this morning, courgette, pumpkins, toms various squashes and french beans all gone :'(
however, peppers and aubs doing fine under a cloche, and borlottis look like they will recover (now also under a cloche)!
*sigh*
i kind of look forward to a good ol' frost as by this time of year, i am getting growing fatigue - honestly, after going into overdrive as soon as Xmas is over, peaking around June, by now I am truly looking forward to chopping back my rampageous garden and plot and restoring some sort of order. I also look forward to not having to water the gazillion pots in my garden which can take care of an hour and half every day. And just when you think you can sit back and take it easy, harvest time is even more frenzied and stressful - jams to make, tomatoes to preserve, beans to freeze, sauces, pickles, brines....and digging, digging digging for the huge crops of spuds I blithely sowed back in March when i was keen and enthusiastic. Oh yes, frost....bring it on, i am knackered.
;D Campanula! I know what you mean.
I will be back at the plot for the day tomorrow to see what the score is. Most of my squashes are home now, but my toms are all still there so fingers crossed.
It is cold again tonight in Essex. Is it electric blanket time yet?
Quote from: Derekthefox on September 16, 2005, 20:58:11
Feeling a little underdressed for a party though, perhaps I should have worn a dickie bow? ;D
Derekthefox :D
Derek, with these nips you are looking a little perky, I think you should consider a sleeveless vest for a while ;D