Help!!!!

[Bex]

Just been to lottie and its complete devastation. The top leaves on all my potato plants have gone black as though someone has thrown a blanket over them, my courgettes have given up the ghost along with my beans. Is this frost damage? And will the tatties recover. Everything else I can replace but I will be well miffed if the tatties are no more.

The broad beans, peas, cabbages, and all the things in the tent cloche (toms etc) seem fine although after the storm this afternoon the ground is very, very wet.

Please reassure me that everything is ok.

Thank you for listening.

[rustylady]

Can't give absolute reassurance Bex. I've had a lot of wind and rain damage, but no frost. Do you keep a record of temperatures? If spud leaves have gone black it certainly sounds like frost damage. They may regrow, but you will just have to leave them in and wait and see. If you did have a frost you will also have lost your courgettes and beans, but if it's just wind damage it may be worth leaving them in for a little while and seeing if they recover.

[Helenclare]

Hi Bex,
I think the damage may be frost damage from your description. I think your potatoes will be okay, they may be set back a few weeks as the foliage recovers. The tubers are underground so will not be damaged. Mine were badly hit by the winds with the leaves all flattened, At least there is plenty of time to resow the beans and courgettes and there is no harm getting stuff planted out early, it was very bad luck to get frost so late. Good luck with sorting it all out. Keep us posted!

[jacob marley]

the spuds should be ok if it is frost damage lets hope thats all it is if only the tips are black the beans could be done for but all you can do is just wait and see what happens all the best Jacob

[Bex]

Thank you both.

I've left everything as is for now as the courgettes had babies on them and you never know there might be a miracle. I have some beans that I've sown for just in case this happen so no problem there and I'll bung a couple of courgette seeds in tonight.

On the potatoes its only the top leaves, the foliage underneath seems fine so it does look like its had a sprinkling of frost although I didn't think it had got that cold.

Thanks for putting my mind at ease, I noticed that the plot next door had suffered the same problem, they've lost their beans and sweetcorn and tatty leaves are same as mine. Not sure they know yet.

[Bex]

Thanks Jacob, we had a hell of a storm here this afternoon, did it make it to you?

The beans have given up completely I'm afraid, nevermind I can replace them it was the tatties that were worrying me.

[pigletwillie]

It was -2 the other night at work and I had to scrape ice off the truck windscreen.

The potatoes will recover but may suffer a check in growth, the softies, beans and th like may or may not recover depending upon how much they got frosted. Resow if needed, you have plenty of time left.

The OH got our beans and outdoor toms covered with fleece as a precaution.

[poozie]

My first early potato leaves in my backyard look like they have been splashed with black paint. I'm sure we haven't had a frost, I have a lot of tender plants outside and they are all fine.

[jacob marley]

Thanks Jacob, we had a hell of a storm here this afternoon, did it make it to you?

The beans have given up completely I'm afraid, nevermind I can replace them it was the tatties that were worrying me.

it is the wind that causes the problem and the way the frost swirls around we had a frost one night 3 years ago and it swooped in took the middle spud and the took the complete patch on the next plot but they recoverd eventually so yours should be ok but a bit later jacob

[Hazel at the Hill]

You must be in a rare ol' frost pocket, Bex - we're only about 3 miles away from you and have had no frost this week. I think that everything looks a bit shellshocked after this afternoons storm, maybe? I'm sure that everything will perk up!

The grounds quite warm now, so even if some of the foliage on the spuds has been 'got' they should be ok and grow some more!

[Alice]

What a shame to get caught with frost so late. Have to admit I was worried too but we have not had any.
I think your potatoes will be fine it's just the tips which are frosted. The beans and courgettes - doubtful if they will recover, but wait and see. In the meantime, plant some more. Plenty time, they will just be a few weeks later.

[Mrs Dobby]

Sorry to hear of the devastation Bex, it must have been a horrible shock!

We havent had a frost as such, but it was a close thing 2 nights ago, with 2 of the weather sites saying we were going to have one and the met office saying no, so we were a bit worried to say the least! As it was there doesnt appear ot be any frost damage on our spuds, pumpkins or corn, but we have lost 6 of the outdoor toms and 3 of the outdoor chillies we planted up last week, and some of the others are looking a bit peely wally to say the least! Ah well, we've still plenty to go out yet, so hopefully we'll be ok for toms and chillies this year anyhows!

[Headfry]

Hi Bex, I am in north Oxfordshire- I think my tomatoes (outside) got caught by frost! They look really ill. My beans have been trashed by the wind and cold!
Oh the joys of veg growing!!! tee hee
I think your potatoes will be ok! even the beans might make new shoots in the old leaf joints....mine are trying to.
Good luck Bex!

[Flummery]

I took the precaution 2 nights ago of taking in my toms and courgettes that are now in pots outside. Couldn't take the rest in though! Luckily we didn't get a frost - there's often more protection in a garden because of hedges etc. Wind or frost scorch on spud leaves isn't terminal at this stage of the game.
It's always a bit of a guessing game with the last frost. If you get stuff out early and there isn't one, you've sneaked a few weeks ahead but many of the tender plants (courgettes, beans, corn) used to be sown at this time of year so all is not lost. Cheer up chuck!