frost damage

Warm days encourage new, tender shoots that are often damaged by late, sharp frosts. In most cases the leaves look as if they have been scorched, and pale-brown patches often appear between the veins and on the exposed top and edges of the plant.

The new leaves of some plants may be completely blackened. These will just crisp up and drop off.

Frost damage is not always obvious. For instance, some plants may start losing blackened leaves weeks after the event. Any injured shoots should be cut off after flowering - new ones will soon replace them.

Cold and frost can cause spots to appear on the leaves of several shrubs, but don't worry; the leaves will naturally fall in early summer.

Handy Frost Tips

Check the weather conditions and forecasts for predicted frosts. You should then do two things: First, cover your plants, both to retain as much soil heat and moisture as possible and to protect them against strong winds, which can hasten drying and cooling. Ideal covering are straw, newspapers or horticultural fleece.

Second, keep the soil moist by watering your plants the day the frost is predicted. As the water freezes, it releases heat, protecting the plants, even though they're covered in ice.