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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: glow777 on February 18, 2006, 07:40:05

Title: The big cover up
Post by: glow777 on February 18, 2006, 07:40:05
One thing that seasonally confuses me is what to cover up when a late frost is due.
Living oop north a May/June frost is not an uncommon occurrence and usually sends everyone scurrying around with bits of plastic. Obviously I haven't got enough plastic to cover everything so the question is

what will survive a late frost?

There are the obvious things that shouldn't be out until in a frost (beans, lettuces courgettes etc), the obvious frost hardy animals (parsnips and peas) and the known techniques for  protecting some plants (earthing up spuds etc).

Here's what is currently confusing me (ie the stuff that doesn't mention frost on the packets) - this obviously applies to the young plants

Leeks
Beetroot
Caulis
Cabbage
Radish
Carrots
mangetout (same as peas?)
broccoli (all types)
swede
sprouts
spinach

in fact most root veg and brassicas

Ian
Title: Re: The big cover up
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 18, 2006, 09:45:57
The ones you mention should be OK, but potatoes will have the top growth killed. Things like sweetcorn, squashes and outdoor tomatoes will be badly affected; I delayed planting mine out until well into June last year, and got hit anyway.
Title: Re: The big cover up
Post by: john_miller on February 18, 2006, 12:47:35
As Robert mentions everything you list should be O.K.. The only comment I would add is that anything grown from a transplant that has not been properly hardened off will be potentially susceptible to frost damage. This could be quite critical for caulis and broccoli in particular.
Title: Re: The big cover up
Post by: glow777 on February 18, 2006, 19:17:16
thanks too all who replied

Ian