Frost coming... Some advice please.

**nickdub** · 02-05-2019, 09:47 AM

Put some cover over the spud tops in the evening - either sheets, bubble wrap or whatever - take off in the morning.

The tomatoes may be a problem - if you have them in containers then bringing them inside would be safest - obviously some form of heating would also be an option - or do nothing like me, and hope for the best.

**Bacchus** · 02-05-2019, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by nooby View Post

Hi all!

Some noob questions... I think I will always be a noob!

I have just seen the weather forecast for my area (North Sussex) and it states that on Saturday and Sunday there is a good chance of frosts. First question, will my early potato plants suffer?

I had planted them a bit deeper this year (I have been watching the other guys in my allotment) and earthed them up in advance. They are already pretty vigorous!

Same question about frost damage for my seedlings, Carrots, beets, chard?

Also how will the cold affect my tomatoes and other plants in the poly?

As always thanks in advance

Some of my tomatoes are already planted out in the tunnel. I'm not due a frost but I am due relatively cold nights so I'll be fleecing them up. It's a bit awkward as they are lapped around a cord for support but it should be fine.

Our local cheap chain (P****Stretchers) has rolls of the stuff for �1.99 and 3 rolls should be more than enough.

I'll "double up" the fleece for draping over the chilies and peppers too.

**Atta** · 02-05-2019, 10:45 AM

I have tomatoes and chilis on balcony shall I put them in or fleece would be enough?The nights are going to be 2 /3C

**Jungle Jane** · 02-05-2019, 11:18 AM

Try & water the potatoes,they cope better in cold with moisture. The actual potatoes don�t mind but the leaves can go black in the frost,I use a plastic row cover cloche over the top of the bags. I�d bring any tomatoes in if you can,just bring the tender plants in.

**nickdub** · 02-05-2019, 11:39 AM

I'd bring them in if at all possible, if I were you - hopefully the weather will start warming up again by Monday - so not a long term issue.

**nooby** · 02-05-2019, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by Bacchus View Post

Some of my tomatoes are already planted out in the tunnel. I'm not due a frost but I am due relatively cold nights so I'll be fleecing them up. It's a bit awkward as they are lapped around a cord for support but it should be fine.

Our local cheap chain (P****Stretchers) has rolls of the stuff for �1.99 and 3 rolls should be more than enough.

I'll "double up" the fleece for draping over the chilies and peppers too.

This place is awesome... Thank you all!!!

My tomatoes are exactly the same. In the ground wrapping around string. I have the little jackets of fleece that go over the top but I will get some sheets or rolls.

As for the spuds I will cover them with sheets. I don't think I will have enough fleece to cover the rows.

Will the carrot, beet and chard seedlings be ok in the ground?

**nooby** · 02-05-2019, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by nickdub View Post

I'd bring them in if at all possible, if I were you - hopefully the weather will start warming up again by Monday - so not a long term issue.

Not sure the spuds, carrots, beets and chard will like that

As for the toms, they are already in the ground in the poly. I have trigger finger. I got caught out last year too but they ended up lovely.

**nickdub** · 02-05-2019, 11:50 AM

"Will the carrot, beet and chard seedlings be ok in the ground?"

Yep, should be fine - keep an eye put for slugs though - they often seem to do more damage after a frost.

**The Pepper Man** · 02-05-2019, 01:59 PM

I'm in the same position. I have 8 tomato plants in the ground since mid April when we had that warm spell. Unfortunately an abnormally late cold wave has hit now.

I'm just going to drape a fleece over them and hope for the best. It shouldn't drop lower than 0C for an hour or so. Hopefully any damage will be minimal.

**Urban** · 02-05-2019, 02:07 PM

I'm gonna heat the greenhouse for a couple of days, just keep it above 7c I reckon, Shouldn't cost too much for a couple of days

**Snadger** · 02-05-2019, 08:23 PM

All the stuff on my greenhouse bench is covered with laminate flooring underlay now......the polystyrene opaque stuff.

Luckily I have just cut my lawn at home today. Bagged up the grass cuttings and put a handful over each potato plants foliage that had shown above ground.

Hopefully its insulation qualities will save my spud tops for the next couple of possibly frosty days.

**Penellype** · 02-05-2019, 08:37 PM

All you can really do with things that are planted out is cover them and hope. Don't forget strawberry plants - if the flowers or buds get frosted they will go black in the middle and not develop into fruit. I will be out with the bubble wrap tomorrow, but it will need removing from the strawberries in the daytime so that the flowers can be pollinated.

Frost at this time of year is a right PITA.

**Bacchus** · 03-05-2019, 07:41 AM

According to my min max thermometer it got down to 4% last night - so everything should be ok - it's tonight that's the cold one - I have a spare candle that I'll light in the tunnel (this is a home made beast made from vegetable oil not a tea light!). This might add an extra degree to it and help out.

**mcdood** · 03-05-2019, 07:53 AM

Relating to this I have windowsills bursting at the seams and some plants getting leggy so need to move stuff to coldframes or blowaway on allotment soon. Which of these plants would you say are the hardiest and most likely to cope, expecting a low of 3 deg this weekend:
Squash
Outdoor cucumbers
French Beans
Runner Beans
outdoor Tomatoes

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Frost coming... Some advice please.

Frost coming... Some advice please.

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