IT might be hard to believe, but frost is still a threat to your garden as the warmer weather creeps in.
Late frost can affect many plants, but is particularly damaging to tender new growth and blossom in the spring.
Luckily, the risks of frost damage can be reduced by taking some simple steps to protect your greenery.
If the air temperature is forecast to fall between 0C and 4C on a night with little or no cloud and light winds, then there will be risk of frost.
Temperatures are forecasted to hit 4C in many parts of the UK this weekend, according to the Met Office.
In some places, like Yorkshire & Humber, temperatures may even get as low as 3C to 6C.
So what are you meant to do to protect all your gardening efforts over the last few weeks from dreaded frost?
The experts at the Royal Horticultural Society shared their foolproof guide.
We all know that prevention is better than cure.
“Cover plants with a double layer of biodegradable or re-used old fleece, or other suitable protection such as an old sheet, overnight when frost is forecast,” the gardening experts said.
“Mulch the root area of evergreens, conifers, tender shrubs and tender perennials with a thick layer of organic matter to prevent the ground becoming frozen.
“Move container-grown plants to a sheltered part of the garden in cold weather and provide some extra protection by wrapping the pot in bubble wrap.”
If you have a greenhouse, you can provide particularly tender plants further insulation and shelter by popping them in there.
“If this isn’t practical, then protect them by wrapping – examples include bananas and tree ferns,” the experts continued.
“Lift tender perennials such as dahlias, cannas, pelargoniums and fuchsias before the first frosts.”
It’s also worth noting that plants exposed to early morning sun may thaw too rapidly after a frost, causing damage to flowers and young growth.
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It’s happened: you forgot to give your plants any pre-frost TLC and now they’re in a bad way.
“It’s all too easy to be caught out by frost, and sometimes frost damage is simply unavoidable,” the experts said.
But fortunately, there’s still things you can do to save your beloved flowers.
“If no more frost is expected, prune out damaged growth, cutting to an undamaged side shoot or bud,” they recommended.
“After pruning, apply a top dressing of a general-purpose fertiliser to encourage strong re-growth.”
You can pick up general-purpose fertiliser for as cheap as £4.
ASDA’s Slow Release Multi Purpose Fertiliser costs just £3.97 and is designed to last a whopping three months.
The Royal Horticultural Society experts urged green-fingered Brits to not give up on plants that have been frost damaged.
The roots are alive and can still be protected or lifted and stored.
“Many plants can be surprisingly resilient and may well rejuvenate from dormant buds at or below soil level,” they said.
“This takes time, so recovery may not be seen until early summer.
“If the plant is a favourite, and its appearance doesn’t spoil your display, then consider leaving it in place until mid-summer.
“If no re-growth has appeared by then, replace the plant.”
