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Frost protection

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Posts

  • Jason-3Jason-3 Posts: 391
    I can't recall the last time we had a proper frost in May and I'm much further north than the Op. I've got my tomatoes in my unheated greenhouse. Which has a pane has recently cracked and fallen out. I wanted to get mine in as early as possible to beat blight. As we suffer with it badly around here. Also in my experience tomatoes do just fine with night time temps below 12 c. Just as long as it dosent drop below 5c for a sustained period. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I can't remember a May frost in London but it looks like we will get close to it.
  • PlashingPlashing Posts: 328
    When I was working at a Agriculture and Horticulture College we used to set the Irrigation to come on just before the sun rose,because it the sunshine that causes the blossom to burn on all types of fruit,so I think if you can get up early enough to wash the frost off you should be alright,I am risking my strawberries tonight but I will be covering them over at the week,end,the apples,plums and bush fruit have set so I am keeping my fingers crossed,I wish it would come a good rain instead.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    "it's the sunshine that causes the blossom to burn on all types of fruit"

    Surely it's the frost destroying the cell walls of the plants?
  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    The predicted temp for tonight has dropped to 4oC from 7, and now saying 5/6oC for the weekend. This is all too stressful. I’m going to have some wine.
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    Took a late visit to the allotment with fleece and covered as much vulnerable stuff as realistic ,Polysheeted the largest stuff. 

    I'm feeling the same as others, just wanting to get stuff in the ground to free up space for more planting. Some of the squashes are getting big for their pots.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    Astro said:
    Took a late visit to the allotment with fleece and covered as much vulnerable stuff as realistic ,Polysheeted the largest stuff. 

    I'm feeling the same as others, just wanting to get stuff in the ground to free up space for more planting. Some of the squashes are getting big for their pots.
    I've decided this evening to go for a long two week hardening off period, the way the weather has been I've no feeling for what to expect this month.

    Pumpkins are going to get re-potted tomorrow. It's going to be a massive hassle, but they can all come into the garage at night for a couple of weeks more if necessary where I can provide some heat. With everything else that is going on, can't face losing them! Seems like best option at moment, no frosts they can stay outside in the second week, or come in if there is likely to be one.  End of it will be nearly June.

    We've gone from baking sun, to pouring rain, to howling winds, in the past 7 days. Wouldn't be surprised if we are living on snowball earth next week.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Wanting to cast a clout at BBC weather lady last night after 10 0 clock news, she said "eatch out gardeners in the SE, it will be 2-3d, frantic rush to get everything in, it went down to 10c
  • mikeymustardmikeymustard Posts: 495
    It was 4⁰ on our patio! I left a trailing petunia out which I'd stuck in some water before I went to work. Came back after dark and forgot about it. 
    It's [sort of] ok...
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    Went down to 4 degrees here as well. My unheated greenhouse went down to 6 degrees but the plants inside seem fine.
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