It may be hard to believe, but frost is still a threat to your garden as warmer weather approaches.
Late frost can affect many plants, but it is particularly harmful to new growth and flowering in spring.
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Fortunately, the risks of frost damage can be reduced by taking a few simple steps to protect your vegetation.
If the air temperature is forecast to fall between 0°C and 4°C on a night with little or no cloud and light winds, there will be a risk of frost.
Temperatures are forecast to reach 4C in many parts of the UK this weekend, according to the Met Office.
In some places, such as Yorkshire and the Humber, temperatures can even reach 3°C to 6°C.
So what should you do to protect all your gardening efforts in the final weeks of the dreaded frost?
Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society have shared their foolproof guide.
PREVENTION
We all know that prevention is better than cure.
“Cover plants with a double layer of old biodegradable or reused fleece, or other suitable protection, such as an old sheet, overnight when frost is forecast,” gardening experts said.
“Cover the root area of evergreens, conifers, tender shrubs and tender perennials with a thick layer of organic matter to prevent the ground from freezing.
“Move container-grown plants to a protected part of the garden in cold weather and provide some extra protection by wrapping the pot in bubble wrap.”
If you have a greenhouse, you can provide particularly tender plants with more insulation and shelter by placing them there.
“If this is not practical, then protect them by wrapping them – examples include bananas and tree ferns,” the experts continued.
“Raise tender perennials such as dahlias, cannas, pelargoniums and fuchsias before the first frost.”
It’s also important to note that plants exposed to morning sun can thaw very quickly after a frost, causing damage to flowers and young growth.
Gardening Tips and Tricks
CURE
It’s happened: You forgot to give your plants any pre-frost TLC and now they’re in trouble.
“It’s very easy to get caught in frost, and sometimes frost damage is simply unavoidable,” experts said.
But luckily, there are still things you can do to save your beloved flowers.
“If no further frost is expected, remove damaged growth by cutting to an undamaged side shoot or bud,” they recommended.
“After pruning, apply a top dressing of general-purpose fertilizer to encourage strong growth.”
You can buy general purpose fertilizer for just £4.
ASDA’s slow-release multipurpose fertilizer costs just £3.97 and is designed to last three months.
Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society have urged green-fingered Brits not to give up on plants that have been damaged by frost.
The roots are alive and can still be protected or lifted and stored.
“Many plants can be surprisingly resilient and may well rejuvenate from dormant buds at or below ground level,” they said.
“This takes time, so recovery may not be seen until early summer.
“If the plant is a favorite and its appearance doesn’t detract from its display, consider leaving it in place until mid-summer.
“If no new growth appears by then, replace the plant.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
