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Hanging baskets and pots.
John27
Posts: 2
My hanging baskets, troughs and pots have been planted up for quite a while now. They have put on quite a lot of growth in the greenhouse and have been gradually hardened off. They are now ready to go outside to their final positions but I'm unsure about when to actually do it. I know the rule of thumb is to wait until all risk of frost has gone but this has been such a mild Spring and the long range forecast doesn't mention frost or even a drop in temperature. I live in the North West of England. Has anyone put their baskets and pots out yet please?
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John, every last one of us knows how eagerly we await planting out time. Just a heads up to save your much loved plantings; the NW is prone to frosts (historically) up to and including 24th May. Only those within two miles of the south coast, the west coast and South coast of Wales and the west coast of Scotland or city centres can plant out from 15th May with some confidence. Everyone else has to watch out for clear skies and protect their bedding plants at night. Third week of May is usually ok.
For some inland highland areas and valley frost-pockets even first week in June needs a close weather eye!
Thanks very much for your reply. Great information that I'll remember for the future. I'll leave them where they are and try and be a bit more patient. (I haven't got emoticons, but Smiley Face).
Ooh, I didn't realise there was an official date. What about the Isle of Man?
Any idea when I could plant my pots out in Suffolk?
Hehehe, nothing official about UK weather. It does what it likes whenever it likes!
A Martin created a night frost temp chart from weather station data gathered over the years for British Isles. Secondary schools often contribute this data too.
We get a lot of weather for our money don't we?
imbrennan each region has it's own frost pockets depending on height above sea level, how far inland etc so try a google search for A Martin's grid and find your location in the grid. HTH
Hi, I've put mine out and they are going really well, I am in Bedfordshire. I just keep an eye on night time temperatures and bring them or fleece them as needed.
John, Marine is right, I am in the SE and, like you rearing to go. It's the warmth after noon and the sunshine that gives us this faux security. But I will not put the tender plants out as yet. The nights are still cold, and despite the warm day, the temp., I noticed does plummet very fast at night. It was minus one a couple days ago. So hang on a little longer
I've tried googling this chart but no luck. Do you have a link?
Sorry, I didn't get back sooner Daisyheadcase....busy, busy busy.
http://www.overthegardengate.net/garden/frostsurvey.asp
this is the data map in regional grids but remember even a tall tree, fences etc can leave cold spots at this time of year. AT once described the b€m test; if you can sit bare-b€tt on the soil it's planting out time. (Caution you may need to set bail money aside for that test).