Broad Beans/Frost Damage

[Kimbo]

I have some broad beans in pots that I started off indoors, I hardened them off as kindly advised on here and they have been outside for about 2 weeks. Last night we had a frost and I think my broad beans may have been damaged. The stems looked a bit frozen first thing but seem to have thawed out now the sun is on them. What should I do?

[Lesley Jay]

They should be fine. Broad beans are relatively frost hardy it's severe frosts that they can't cope with.

[SueA]

Hi Kimbo,
I agree they should perk up again but if you are worried if there is a hard frost forecast you could just pop a few sheets of newspaper over them at night & uncover them first thing in the morning.

[Kimbo]

thanks, might have to invest in some fleece as one variety is quite tall already

[Kimbo]

Hi Kimbo,
I agree they should perk up again but if you are worried if there is a hard frost forecast you could just pop a few sheets of newspaper over them at night & uncover them first thing in the morning.

the broad beans are in pots and have canes for support - what is the best way to put newspaper over them

[SueA]

You could wrap the paper around the pot & cane & sticky tape the edges together to make a tube around each plant then sticky tape another piece over the top to make a lid & then just slide them on & off as you need to.

[Kimbo]

You could wrap the paper around the pot & cane & sticky tape the edges together to make a tube around each plant then sticky tape another piece over the top to make a lid & then just slide them on & off as you need to.

Thanks SueA, I have just been to Wickes and bought some foam underlay for laminate flooring (quite a large roll and not too expensive) and will be spending this afternoon making little jackets for the pots. I lost a couple of plants last night to the wind, so I have just ordered some more seed just in case I lose the lot.

[Kimbo]

Frost Damage

Thanks SueA, I have just been to Wickes and bought some foam underlay for laminate flooring (quite a large roll and not too expensive) and will be spending this afternoon making little jackets for the pots. I lost a couple of plants last night to the wind, so I have just ordered some more seed just in case I lose the lot.

Blue Peter strikes again - here is my answer to my frost problems hope it works - spent most of saturday afternoon making them

[smallblueplanet]

Blue Peter strikes again - here is my answer to my frost problems hope it works - spent most of saturday afternoon making them

very good - they look like large hats!

and will you be making compost bins from your pallets, Val?

[Kimbo]

I have two large daleks already thankfully. I am thinking of going into the "hat" business as a sideline

[sewer rat]

Didn't know the KKK had a branch in Manchester

[Jaxom]

Kimbo, what a fantastic size garden. I can think of a few Grapes who would love to have one as large.
Jax

[Kimbo]

Kimbo, what a fantastic size garden. I can think of a few Grapes who would love to have one as large.
Jax

The plants in the second photo are only about a third of the way down it - its a huge garden (must get round to measuring it one day) only problem is the ground is clay and tends to kill anything you put in it (except for small areas dotted around the garden) and kills your back trying to dig it, that why I have opted for pots much easier on me.

[SueA]

Blue Peter strikes again - here is my answer to my frost problems hope it works - spent most of saturday afternoon making them

They look great & should last a lot longer than soggy newspaper ones.