
The nationwide cold snap in December 2022 reminded us that a lot of plants we'd come to regard as hardy were, in reality, not quite as tough as we thought. For a good decade and more we'd brought the likes of penstemons and shrubby salvias through winter out in the garden without a problem, but many gardeners lost the lot last winter.
Global warming isn't a figment of our imagination, but it's a mistake to forget that thing called 'weather' - even with overall rising temperatures, there'll always be cold snaps that catch us out and remind us that when we grow plants from all over the world, sudden drops in temperature can take them - and us - by surprise.
I can still recall a 20-year experiment to verify the hardiness of eucalyptus species in the UK. It found that if temperatures dropped gradually, the plants could survive a surprisingly cold winter. However, a sudden drop - even if it wasn't nearly as cold as a steadier decline - resulted in sudden death.
With tender bedding plants, we ease them into cooler temperatures by 'hardening them off' - gradually accustoming them to lower temperatures in the weeks prior to planting out at the end of May. It's worth remembering that plants are just as sensitive to sudden drops in temperature as we are, except that they can't simply reach for a vest or a sweater.
What does 'tender' mean?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2023 من BBC Gardeners World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2023 من BBC Gardeners World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول

A welcome home
Having taken on a largely neglected, sizeable front garden during the pandemic, Susan Downing used her eye for colour, design and harmony to create a relaxing, sociable space for family, neighbours and passersby

Master your mix
Nick's guide to combining plants In this new series Nick Bailey shows how to mix plants in natural planting communities for a happy, healthy garden. First up, we look at meadows

The team is back
While Monty shares the latest from Longmeadow, the other GW presenters are preparing for a dynamic year ahead. Executive Producer Gary Broadhurst shares an exclusive glimpse into 2025

GREEN HOUSE GROWING
Discover the joys of greenhouse gardening this spring and summer with Alan's expert guides, beginning with how to choose your ideal greenhouse and what to start growing

Next-gen gardening
Arit Anderson considers how we can encourage and nurture the next generation of gardeners

Garden globetrotting
While its rocky terrain provides challenges for Madeirans, the island's subtropical climate and year-round mild temperatures make it a big draw for visiting gardeners, as Emma Crawforth discovers

Growing THE GOOD LIFE
Everything's springing back to life for urban veg grower Sara Ward, so it's time for a few key jobs

Time to put down roots
Trees can bring benefits to gardens of all shapes and sizes. Carol Klein explains what to consider when choosing one for your plot and reveals her favourites

Fresh new start
Want to grow delicious homegrown food this year? Monty shows you how to prepare for a summer of delicious harvests

Just like starting over
As Gardeners’ World returns, Monty Don unveils his new plans for Longmeadow’s iconic Jewel Garden