Frost and when to protect.

[cazp]

According to metoffice, the lowest temp early hours tomorrow in my part of the country is 3 degrees, and 2 degrees for Monday tuesday and Wednesday overnight. have a sheltered garden, but none the less have decided to cover or bring in my pots of veg/flowers "just in case" the temp dips lower - am I being over cautious - would be interested in hearing the approach of others... thanks

[Shadylane]

We're still bringing in the tomatoes and chillies in every night. They'll survive at current temps but it slows them down. It depends what you're growing. Brassicas will be fine as will marigolds and other hardy annuals. Runner beans are wimps but broad beans you can leave. Our temps are going below zero soon but as yours are around 2 if they're under cover (green house, plastic or other?) they should be fine.

[royboy]

I have some leeks in a seed bed that I forgot to cover, do you think they will be ok?

[cazp]

Thanks for the advice.
Its the french beans Im worried about.. would a bin bag around the cane wigwam be sufficient do you think?

[Madasafish]

Spray with water first and then cover... helps protect them.

[selfraising]

I have some leeks in a seed bed that I forgot to cover, do you think they will be ok?

Leeks should be fine.

[Shadylane]

Thanks for the advice.
Its the french beans Im worried about.. would a bin bag around the cane wigwam be sufficient do you think?

Anything you can find really, bin bags, polythene, news paper, a blanket...

[chris]

Spray with water first and then cover... helps protect them.

Wouldn't the water droplets start to freeze?

[Nik]

I'm going on holiday next week and I've got two trays of pumpkin, squash, courgette and cauliflower seedlings.
Should I plant them out before I go and hope the frost (and cats) don't get them - or should I leave them inside and hope they don't die of thirst?

[chris]

Nik, wet an old towel, give the plants a good drink and then put the towel in the bath and the plants on top of it. The towel will act as a matt, and the soil will draw any water needed up through the holes in the bottom of the pots. I did that for about 40 plants, all survived Just remember to take the heating off in the bathroom so you don't cook them - or what I did was 30mins of heat in the early morning (4am) and then against at 6pm -- we went away when it was freezing mind.

[Madasafish]

Wouldn't the water droplets start to freeze?"

Yes.. So the beans underneath will not. Unless it is really cold...

I spray our pear blossom if it#s going to freeze. Seems to work.

[royboy]

Leeks should be fine.

Thanks selfraising. Checked tonight and they were fine.

[womble]

Yay. minus 4c and everything survived

I have to say, I'm suprised at how well courgettes survive these low temps when covered up well.

[HeyWayne]

I think I've lost all my Kestrel potatoes.

Visited the plot last night and was greeted by a couple of rows of darkened leaves.

Some of the other varieties seem to have been nipped too.

[womble]

I think they'll all come back Wayne.