Bad weather
Many plants go dormant in winter to avoid the nasty weather - rain, wind, and cold. But bad weather can damage plants at any time. Here are our tips for minimising the risk:
Rain
Cover late or early vegetables with cloches. Stake perennials to stop them flopping. Cover the surface of containers with grit to stop the rain splashing flowers and leaves with compost.
Wind
Provide shelter for newly planted evergreens. Cloches also provide protection. Remember to stake them firmly to avoid them blowing away in the wind.
Cold
If a late frost is forecast – dash out and cover plants that have new leaves with horticultural fleece or newspaper.
Cold summers slow plant growth rates - bedding plants won’t peak late summer; vegetables and salads take longer to mature.
Hot, dry weather
Plants in greenhouses may need shading and you’ll need to open the vents and the door. Add extra vents to the greenhouse if possible.
Frequent, heavy watering will be necessary, especially of recently planted plants and those in containers.
Frost
The first and last frosts of the growing season are turning points in the gardening year. For bedding and other tender plants the time between them is the time they can survive in the garden.
In middle England, expect the danger of the last frost passes on late May to early June and the first autumn frost tends to occur from mid-September onwards. But remember the dates can vary by up to three weeks depending on the year. And don’t forget to adjust the date to your local climate – location in the country and altitude.
