The UK has suffered severe frosts in the middle of May 2010. This was the norm several decades ago and gardeners may have been lulled into a false sense of security.
May Frost Problems
- Most plants will recover with some warm weather but may be late or produce poorer results.
- Potato plants may have been nipped but should regrow.
- Bedding plants, beans and tomatoes could be restarted because there is plenty of time for new seedlings to catch up.
- Apple and fruit blossom will have damaged the crop for this whole year. (Any fruit that survives should grow larger).
- My early Rhododendrons were decimated just as the colours were looking spectacular (Still there is always next year)
Other Frost Damage
- Plants that have been totally ‘crisped’ will need to be replaced.
- I lost several semi-tender shrubs to the winter frosts, they were ‘well dead’ by May. This included Ceanothus, Abutilon and Cystus.
- Frost can recur into mid June so keep some horticultural fleece or bubble wrap handy.
- Harden off your seedlings – you know it makes sense!
Prune Favourite Shrubs After Frost Damage
- Tough stem tissue and buds further from the tips withstand more damage than soft leaves but are not immune if the temperatures are lower and the duration is longer.
- The more severe the damage, the longer it takes to regenerate so patience is needed to be sure you’ve located all the damage.
- Find the point down the stem where the frost damage ends, and cut down to half an inch above the nearest healthy bud.
- I am tempted to leave frost damage on the plant until new growth covers the unsightly mess on the basis it can’t get much worse. It may also offer a bit of protection against further frost. I am leaving my sad looking Hydrangeas alone for a while.
Winter Frost Damage
- Begonia plants are often the first to succumb to air frost. Get the corms inside and protected for winter before the ground is also frozen.
- Dahlia leaves go black as soon as they are bitten by the frost bug. Then is the time to cut down the haulms and dig up the tubers for winter storage in dry frost free conditions.
- Frost damage soft tissue like Annuals, Begonias and Dahlia leaves can still be composted.
- Do not forget to protect your containers that are not frost proof. Also lift all containers off direct ground contact or the bottom will freeze and may fall off the pot.
Read about ‘Frost Garden Protection’ and Frost Pros and Cons
