How frosty is frost? Looking at the weather forecast, it could go down as low as 4 or 5 degrees - is this safe for frost tender plants do you think?
I always err on the cautious side, 4 or 5 deg may or may not harm them. But I have taken time and trouble to grow the things so I will be overprotective and will cover them ::) ;).
Usually reckon that +2-3 degrees is likely to give a ground frost in some areas?
That's what I was hoping. Will protect them anyway if I put them out this weekend.
4C is the crucial temp... below this water expands towards Ice which ruptures the plant cells, usually when the ice forms.. hardy plants carry more "sugars" in the cell fluid to act as anti-freeze...
:)
Oh!
Which is why some veg like parsnips are supposed to be better after a frost... because the "sugar" concentrations increase as the temperatures drop...
the "frost" is just the icing on the cake!
:)
If the temperature's going that low I'd cover them, to be on the safe side.