Comments on: A late, hard frost http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/ The trials and tribulations of a modern crofter Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:47:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Mel Rimmer http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5542 Mel Rimmer Tue, 29 May 2007 10:17:19 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5542 A hard frost in June killed off lots of potatoes in the lower-lying parts of our allotment site last year, which is valley-shaped. Fortunately our plot is at the top on the steepest part of the "V", which has drawbacks as well as blessings. I started putting stuff in the ground a couple of weeks ago, but I've been keeping a keen eye on the weather forecast and I'm ready to put fleece on tender things if nighttime temperatures take a dive. A hard frost in June killed off lots of potatoes in the lower-lying parts of our allotment site last year, which is valley-shaped. Fortunately our plot is at the top on the steepest part of the “V”, which has drawbacks as well as blessings. I started putting stuff in the ground a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve been keeping a keen eye on the weather forecast and I’m ready to put fleece on tender things if nighttime temperatures take a dive.

]]> By: TRICIA http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5456 TRICIA Tue, 22 May 2007 08:47:09 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5456 I've planted cougettes and marrows and pumpkins and they seem to be doing really well here in the glen,but I'm fed up of having my peas and beans eaten by the mice!! anyone know what i can do,is it best to reseed in pots and plant out as seedlings?? I'm sure my chickens are having daily pow-wows although they have a massive run bigger than most folks back garden they are concocting a plan to escape en masse,then the broccoli won't stand a chance. You seem to grow alot of veg do you sell some of your excess? I’ve planted cougettes and marrows and pumpkins and they seem to be doing really well here in the glen,but I’m fed up of having my peas and beans eaten by the mice!! anyone know what i can do,is it best to reseed in pots and plant out as seedlings??
I’m sure my chickens are having daily pow-wows although they have a massive run bigger than most folks back garden they are concocting a plan to escape en masse,then the broccoli won’t stand a chance.
You seem to grow alot of veg do you sell some of your excess?

]]> By: Dad http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5454 Dad Tue, 22 May 2007 07:44:48 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5454 You have just had your last (?) late frost, while down under in rural NSW with winter only a week away we have not yet had a frost. Most unusual, as we usually have our first frosts around ANZAC Day, 25 Apr. Until today it has been very spring like here, being shirt sleeve weather. But we think it is about to change as a chill has appeared today. You have just had your last (?) late frost, while down under in rural NSW with winter only a week away we have not yet had a frost. Most unusual, as we usually have our first frosts around ANZAC Day, 25 Apr. Until today it has been very spring like here, being shirt sleeve weather.

But we think it is about to change as a chill has appeared today.

]]> By: Karen http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5382 Karen Tue, 15 May 2007 21:31:06 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5382 I just have to admire your determination. We have it easy our last frost was March and with a bit of luck we won't get another till November I just have to admire your determination. We have it easy our last frost was March and with a bit of luck we won’t get another till November

]]> By: stonehead http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5380 stonehead Tue, 15 May 2007 19:17:54 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5380 We sow enough seed indoors that enable me to plant out 15% "early" and risk losing all of those. If we don't get a hard frost or gales, we get a bounty of extra vegetables earlier than would otherwise be the case. If we get a hard frost or gales and lose half or less of the seedlings, then we're still well ahead. If we lose most or all, well, we still have a lot more held back and even a few survivors will give us a welcome change from cabbage, kale, broccoli, potatoes and stored carrots. We sow enough seed indoors that enable me to plant out 15% “early” and risk losing all of those. If we don’t get a hard frost or gales, we get a bounty of extra vegetables earlier than would otherwise be the case.

If we get a hard frost or gales and lose half or less of the seedlings, then we’re still well ahead. If we lose most or all, well, we still have a lot more held back and even a few survivors will give us a welcome change from cabbage, kale, broccoli, potatoes and stored carrots.

]]> By: thurstongarden http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5378 thurstongarden Tue, 15 May 2007 18:11:39 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5378 Sheesh! A frost like that is very unlikely here, being so close to the sea. Having said that, I too have held off planting out the likes of beans just in case. Mind you, I'm not too sure just how our courgettes would withstand a nip. Probably not well! It's sometimes difficult to resist the temptation to crack on, especially when you see on the TV, or hear about others much further south being so much further on! Fingers crossed that much of your stuff recovers. Nature has some tricks up her sleeve doesn't she? Sheesh! A frost like that is very unlikely here, being so close to the sea. Having said that, I too have held off planting out the likes of beans just in case. Mind you, I’m not too sure just how our courgettes would withstand a nip. Probably not well!

It’s sometimes difficult to resist the temptation to crack on, especially when you see on the TV, or hear about others much further south being so much further on!

Fingers crossed that much of your stuff recovers. Nature has some tricks up her sleeve doesn’t she?

]]> By: welshgirlsallotment http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5374 welshgirlsallotment Tue, 15 May 2007 12:34:35 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5374 I've been debating whether or not to put my tomatoes out yet, as I am worried about a frost, I would be shocked if we did have a frost, but I am still not taking any chancesand am also holding out for a week or so to be extra careful I’ve been debating whether or not to put my tomatoes out yet, as I am worried about a frost, I would be shocked if we did have a frost, but I am still not taking any chancesand am also holding out for a week or so to be extra careful

]]> By: red http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5373 red Tue, 15 May 2007 11:16:17 +0000 http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/05/15/a-late-hard-frost/#comment-5373 urgh - I hate the waiting for the last frost thing - then watching the forecasts.. then running out with newspaper and bubblewrap when there will be a frost - its a tedious waitiing game. Hope you did not lose too much (you have to try though ), sounds like most of your crop was still tucked up in the warmth urgh - I hate the waiting for the last frost thing - then watching the forecasts.. then running out with newspaper and bubblewrap when there will be a frost - its a tedious waitiing game. Hope you did not lose too much (you have to try though ), sounds like most of your crop was still tucked up in the warmth

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