Minus two degrees forecast tonight... what veg should i protect?!?!

[Stan79]

I have two large 1.5m x 2m cloches and some fleece. What should i prioritize with the cloches? What should i throw some fleece over?

I have some well established (<15cm), just showing and still-buried potatoes.

Established (5-10cm) parsnips.

Carrots (5-10cm).

Some very wee brocolli.

Some very wee lettuce.


Any suggestions?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Well, I'd say that in order of priority - potatoes (definitely cover these); then lettuce, brocolli, carrot and lastly, the parsnips (hardiest of the lot)

[rustylady]

Well, I just looked at the BBC forecast for your area Stan and they say 4 degrees. Which site forecast minus 2?

[Stan79]

Well, I just looked at the BBC forecast for your area Stan and they say 4 degrees. Which site forecast minus 2?

Thank you for taking the time to look! I use XC Weather. I don't trust the BBC with the weather i'm afraid.

[rustylady]

Just checked their forecast for Swindon Stan and I think they've made a booboo. Temp at 1 am is 2 degrees, 3 hours later at 4 am it does say -3, but I'm thinking it should be +3 as the temperature at 7 am is due to be 4 degrees.

Seems very unlikely that the temperature would drop by 5 degrees in 3 hours and then rise 7 degrees in the next 3 hours.

[Stan79]

I hope you are right... However, hypothetically speaking, what would your advice be to the initial question?

Thank you again for your time!

[Stan79]

Well, I'd say that in order of priority - potatoes (definitely cover these); then lettuce, brocolli, carrot and lastly, the parsnips (hardiest of the lot)

Thank you!

[rustylady]

Definitely protect the potatoes. Can you earth them up?

As for the rest, a lot depends on how big the area you need to cover is. Lettuce, carrots and broccoli would definitely be better covered.

[Stan79]

Definitely protect the potatoes. Can you earth them up?

As for the rest, a lot depends on how big the area you need to cover is. Lettuce, carrots and broccoli would definitely be better covered.

Thank you!

[Martin H]

Thanks for the reminder, Stan! I've just popped down the lottie and earthed up the potatoes. Also put a load of fleece over some optimistic french beans. Will see if they are still there tomorrow...

[Scarlet]

I'm not a million miles from you Stan and I'm not expecting temps below 3. Your parsnips will be fine. I'd be more worried about the spuds. Lettuce doesn't take long to grow and replace if you lose them.

[Madasafish]

I have fleeced all beans. Covered potatoes with straw.


-3C forecast... all of a sudden at 4am

Whether it will happen is debatable but no chances taken.

As for myself hot water bottle and extra duvet.. I'm a tender plant...

[Chef_uk]

Widespread frost predicted during that short time of the night. Better safe than sorry.

[Stan79]

Yep - woke up this morning to a thawing frost!

Thanks for the advice people!

And it's forecast for zero degrees tonight too...

[Nicos]

Glad they survived!...bet you are too