First Frost Casualty

[veg4681]

I was just going to water the veggie bed when I noticed my courgette had died or rather collasped. I think we had a mild frost last night. Guess it will take a while for other veg to die down too although they haven't drooped.

Have any of you had your frost casualty yet? Is it worth protecting your veg even if we're nearing the end of the season (unless they're raised in polytunnel)?

[rustylady]

No frost yet, thank goodness. It has got cooler though, especially early mornings. Heavy dew this morning, minimum temperature 6 degrees so no frost. Are you sure it was frost that got your courgette? Could it have been slug or snail damage, or roots rotted?

[Snadger]

Poor old codger along from my allotment lost his Christmas tatties to frost last year. I've noticed he's got enviromesh over them now this year but on closer inspection they've been touched by frost! Hope the addition of enviromesh will still manage to save them!

[Nicos]

Couple of weeks ago we had a frost. It saw off my courgette leaves, although the veg survived. Sweetcorn and outdoor toms had brown leaves too.

[vegnut]

No frost as yet, down here. But i'm sure it will come soon enough.

[Two_Sheds]

No frost, we don't normally get any before about Feb/March.
However, the pubs are all spookily quiet tonight...no smokers, see, as it's gone noticeably cooler outside. Our local has a patio heater (boo!) but still it didn't pull in the punters. Hooray, it might be the first Friday night's sleep in months!

[veg4681]

Are you sure it was frost that got your courgette? Could it have been slug or snail damage, or roots rotted?

Rustylady, your diagnosis is spot on, perhaps the word 'collapsed' gave it away. Upon closer inspection, the stem just above the roots had rotted big time, where I had been stupidly tipping too much water. Mind you, the plant deserved a well earned retirement for producing over 30-50 (lost count) courgettes, a freak crop alright. The lettuces are still standing so it seems I haven't become a frost casualty yet.

[rustylady]

Lucky you for your courgettes, mine have been pathetic this year. Maybe your plant had a well-earned retirement.

[chickenjane]

well earned retirement?
After that level of productivity I'd give it the VC

[moggssue]

No frost here yet either, though the early mornings are very damp and misty. This morning I even got a new flower on my courgette so all is not over just yet! Not sure whether to lift all my carrots now, or whether they'll stand for a while longer?

[veg4681]

For us over here, frost is forecasted on Thursday! Hope this warning helps to those likely to be affected.