Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?

Subject: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 10 May 02 - 09:04 AM

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but I'm pretty new to gardening and a little confused.

I live in the Manchester area and have various plants (Tomatoes, Runner Beans etc) growing inside. According to the seed packets I need to put them outside when there is 'no longer a risk of frost'

When is this time?

According to this page from the BBC, I appear to live on the line between 'early to mid May' and 'Mid May to early June'

According to this discussion

My observation in Manchester is that frosts in May have been extremely rare and always mild for a number of years now and I plant out in early or mid-May with an eye on the weather forecast.

Looking at various weather forcasts, it seems that this coming Sunday may have a zero degree reading. Does that mean a frost?

Sorry for such a long post, but grateful if someone can help. I don't want my 'garden' to die.

Paul

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 10 May 02 - 09:16 AM

Sorry, I meant to put a 'BS' designation to the thread.

And before anyone gets cross and says this message shouldn't be here, listen to All of a Row. Gardening and Folk go well together!

Paul

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Llanfair
Date: 10 May 02 - 09:30 AM

Paul, June 1st is usually considered to be the end of the frosts. As a Mancunian, and presumably you are in town, my experiense is that you will be sheltered from frost from now on.

Here in Mid Wales, we have to wait till mid-june, but earlier planting is fine if you use agricultural fleece.

Good luck with your garden, and once the frosts have passed, that is when you start battle with the insects and slugs!!!!

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: brother
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:06 AM

A good rule of thumb is two days after you have put out bedding plants.

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Gervase
Date: 10 May 02 - 12:09 PM

Depending on the size of the patch you're growing 'em in, you can either cover your veg with a poly-tunnel at night (not the prettiest of things, but it keeps the frost off) or use polycarbonate drinks bottles with the bases cut off. If the beans aren't too high you can bung a bottle over the top of each one of an evening (might make the neighbours think you're slightly crazy!)

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 10 May 02 - 01:16 PM

"Two days after you've put out the bedding plants".

And about two days before the first one...

Pete

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 10 May 02 - 01:30 PM

Even a newspaper cover helps. Of course, it all blows away even though frost and wind aren't supposed to happen...

I (urban, pretty much same latitude) usually put stuff out any time from mid-May, depending on the forecast. Horrible cloudy days are better than nice sunny ones, as sunny days mean high pressure, clear skies and a greater risk of frost. My old gardening neighbour used to say the first week in June, but that was before global warming. I've never lost runner beans planted out at Spring bank Holiday: the last Saturday in May was our date to plant out regardless.

Good growing!

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: GUEST,SueH
Date: 10 May 02 - 02:57 PM

You know the old saying, don't you? 'Ne'er cast a clout till May is out'.

Sue

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 10 May 02 - 06:04 PM

Whilst we're at it -any solutions to maintaining moisture and nutrition in free draining soil or am I going completely off the subject?

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 10 May 02 - 06:31 PM

A few years ago I remember being on the inside of a tent with ice on the inner at Edale Bluegrass fesival a week after Spring Bank Holiday - i.e. first weekend in June. I would suggest you wait until Wimbledon fortnight. At least then you will get them well watered!
Qack!!!!!!!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:18 PM

whilst we're on gardening topics, you'll recall my thread about the ex-plum tree

'er indoors has expressed the wish that the small blooming cherry tree be moved and placed where the plum tree used to be

i need advice here

when's the best time to move a tree?

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Llanfair
Date: 11 May 02 - 09:36 AM

How big is the tree, Happiness? Small trees can be dug up and replanted in the winter.

Linda, my garden is the same, free draining, crumby soil in the summer, with most of the nutrients in the river!!. Lots of compost, muck, and anything that will hold the water and nutrients where the plants need them. I keep chickens, and they provide the muck and straw which activates the compost which feeds the soil the following year.

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Sooz
Date: 11 May 02 - 11:52 AM

I've lost runner beans to frost in the first week in June here in Lincolnshire.

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 May 02 - 12:37 PM

I was told by a publican that he saw snow fall in June on the mountain he could see from his Welsh pub!
Barring freak events what year are we talking?
traditionally the first frost of the season was 3rd Fri in September just as the Bromyard revelers were thinking it was still a mild night. Next morning frozen zips, can't get out of the tent situation.
Nowadays, global warming has put all that back weeks.
AND Bromyard is the second fri in Sep this year. Where is all this eroding of tradition going to end I ask?

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Penny S.
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:28 PM

I would think the free draining soil has the same solution as too heavy soil - dig in lots of humus, spent mushroom compost, matured horse manure, that sort of thing.

Penny

Subject: RE: Help: UK Gardening - when is the last frost?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 06:06 AM

Start watching the weather forecasts in the last week in May. If northerly or northwesterly winds are forecast, hold back 'til early June, otherwise you should be OK. Harden your plants off for a week or two before this by putting them outside on mild, not-too-windy days and bringing them in at night. Don't overdo the kindness though - they're tougher than you think! You could leave them outside all night if the temperature isn't going to fall below about 10 Celsius. Watch out for dem damn slugs!