Surviving the big chill?

[solway cropper]

It’s been a bit nippy lately. Last night I recorded -15 and by mid afternoon it had warmed up to -7. A lot of the stuff i had growing in tubs in the unheated greenhouse has been unable to cope with such low temperatures. The celery has had it, likewise the lettuce. Broad beans that I sowed in November have blackened and wilted, spring onions look a bit limp and the chard and pak choi look as if they can’t stand much more of this. Oddly enough the oregano in pots looks the healthiest of all and I always considered it a mediterranean herb.

Outside the leeks are the only thing with their tops above the snow. Good job we like leeks

[raine]

Don't know how how my broad beans are getting on as I haven't made it down to the allotment but I've got my fingers crossed!

[Dianne1234567]

Yes my leeks are surviving too as well as my winter onions, but much of the other stuff such as pak choi and swiss chard which had been doing great outside I would not have a clue as it is deeply buried under the snow and ice. Will just have to wait and see.

[Two_Sheds]

A lot of the veg will be OK underground, and will come back when it thaws.

[allotment sue]

I went down to the plot (before the snow) to get some parsnips and most of the beds were frozen solid. I have no idea what it must be like now it is all buried. My leeks got leek moth so no go there and have eaten most of the sprouts. Finding it all a bit depressing now and want to get digging, sowing and planting again!!

[rustylady]

You'll be surprised how much stuff survives. Snow is a good insulator. Lets hope the frosts kill off the dreaded whitefly.

[allotment sue]

I thought last years cold spell would have got rid of the whitefly but it didn't seem to make any difference. Hope it does this year - I do rotate crops but think I might try more companion planting this year - any suggestions anyone?

[maypril]

I wish I'd got round to digging over my allotment. All this cold weather would have nicely killed off all the nasties lurking in the soil, had I only exposed them better.

[SlugLobber]

My winter onions didn't seem to put on much growth this autumn, so am expecting small onions this year! The kale still looks fine, but otherwise I haven't a clue, as I can't see it!! The parsnips I left in don't look good leafwise, but I'm guessing the roots will be fine.

[Nes]

I thought last years cold spell would have got rid of the whitefly but it didn't seem to make any difference. Hope it does this year - I do rotate crops but think I might try more companion planting this year - any suggestions anyone?

Mum says french marigolds work. I'll be growing lots of them, as all my brassicas were smothered with flies - yuck!

As for veg surviving the chill, my savoys and red cabbages look like they've had it. Only got round to mulching my globe artichokes a few days ago , just before this latest load of snow, so don't know if they'll survive. Can't get to my parsnips as the ground is solid . Must remember to dig a few up early and store next year!

[allotment sue]

I found a huge dead rat on the plot when I went for the parsnips - don't know what killed it. The site is next to a stream and there are a lot more people keeping chickens now so rats are becoming a big problems. I need to net things more and more just to keep them from digging about and munching up stuff. They got more of my sweetcorn than me last year. I am going to try growing wormwood this year and spread that around as it is supposed to deter rodents - anyone tried it or got other suggestions?

[maypril]

I am going to try growing wormwood this year

Mmmmmm..... Absinthe!

[maypril]

I found a huge dead rat on the plot

Mmmm! Carling!


(That's what they make it from isn't it? At least that's what it tastes like!)

[vegnut]

Looking on the bright side though, the garlic should split nicely due to the cold weather

[Pieman]

Looking on the bright side though, the garlic should split nicely due to the cold weather

Problem is I only put mine in on New Years Day!!!!!