THE Easter weekend showed us how fickle the UK’s weather can be. One day we were gardening in shorts and getting excited about summer plantings, the next we were back in woolly layers watching snow floating down outside.
May can be just as bad, especially further north where late frosts can be commonplace on the clear nights. So keep a weather eye on the daily forecast and don’t pack away your garden insulation just yet!
Hard frosts damage new growth and can be devastating to anything that isn’t totally hardy that has already been planted out without being adequately hardened off.
Cloches are excellent for protecting single tender plants in borders, such as evergreen agapanthus and penstemons that have already had their old growth cut back. You can also insulate their roots with an extra layer of straw, manure or bark chippings which will also help feed the soil too.
Make sure this isn’t applied to dry or already frosted soil as it will keep off any rainfall and trap the cold against the soil.
Denne historien er fra May 01, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra May 01, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters
