Pippa’s gardening news

Pippa's gardening news and advice contains articles on how to Grow Veg, Growing Veg, Veg Seeds, and Veg Plants.

Grow Your Own Tour	19 February 2012
Over the next few months I'll be 'going on tour' with Stewart Garden & Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood, come along and say hello! read more >>

Protect your Plants from Cold

02 February 2012

Eeeek! If you like grow your own and are already raising some vegetable plants, make sure you don't get caught out.The cold weather has certainly hit in many areas of the UK. If you have already bought potatoes ready to plant in the spring, then make sure that they are kept somewhere totally frost free - this weekend I had to cover mine in a layer of micromesh and two layers of fleece, then I got worried, and ended up putting a bit of heat in to the greenhouse as well. If you have not ordered or bought you seed potatoes yet, then wait until this very cold spell is over and that way you won't need to worry about them freezing or needing frost protection. Anyone who has ordered theirs from me as pat of a 'Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood' package, don't worry they will be with you in a few days, but not quite yet!
Outside cover overwintering crops with fleece or Giant Easy Nets (fleece-covered pull-out tunnels), I use a combination of these plus the Grow Frame with Weather Protection Cover and it does the trick.....but although I'd recommend these to just about anyone (which is why we sell them on this site!) don't forget that a very heavy snow fall, especially one which has partially melted and then re-frozen can do a lot of damage (n the same way that it can literally snap sizable branches) and so you should brush it off if it get too thick.
One good thing to bear in mind : just a few weeks ago there was a lot of concern that the LACK of cold weather this winter would dramatically reduce crops from apples, pears etc. These fruits need a cold spell to promote flower buds for fruit production.....well, looks like we need not worry about that now!!
Have fun, and don't forget to feed the birds in your garden.

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