Gardeners are being urged to protect plants in their gardens with old bed sheets on Thursday and Friday this week as a late-season frost is forecast.
The Met Office has warned of a change in conditions heading into the bank holiday weekend, with the weather forecast to turn more unsettled over the coming days. After weeks of hot and dry weather across much of the UK, a shift is expected for the late May bank holiday with heavy showers, thunder and hail on the horizon for some. While the wet spells will be a welcome change for gardeners as it will give plants a much needed boost of moisture, some colder conditions could spell trouble as frost is also forecast.
The Met Office said: “A notable feature of this week’s forecast is the potential for a late-season frost on Friday morning, particularly in rural areas. This is unusually late given the proximity to meteorological summer and could pose a risk to gardeners.”
Frost is bad news for gardens as it can cause damage to plant cells and roots which can hinder growth, and prevent flowers or fruit from blossoming, causing leaves and stems to turn brown and limp.
The late-season frost is expected to occur overnight on Thursday into Friday morning (May 23), so it’s recommended that gardeners take steps to protect their plants from damage.
Explaining the risk of the upcoming frost to gardeners in a YouTube forecast, Alex Burkel, Met Office presenter and meteorologist, said: “It is going to be pretty fresh, pretty chilly for quite a few places. We could even have a touch of frost. We’re so close to the start of meteorological summer and yet I’m talking about the fact that there could be a little bit of frost in places when we wake up on Friday morning.
He adds: “There is the potential for a touch of frost first thing on Friday morning. Not great news for gardeners, especially with all the dry weather, albeit there is some rain to come through the next week or so.”
There are several ways to protect plants from frost, including using materials like horticultural fleece, cloches and cold frames, but as the cold conditions are forecast to strike overnight today, it may be quicker and easier to use something you already have to hand at home – a bed sheet.
Bed sheets are a cheap and effective way to protect plants from frost damage, particularly lighter frosts, as they provide a layer of insulation which helps to trap warmth from the ground and stop plants from freezing.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says: “Cover plants with a double layer of biodegradable or re-used old fleece, or other suitable protection such as an old sheet, overnight when frost is forecast.”
Simply drape the sheets over the plants you want to protect and make sure to keep them loose enough so they allow air to circulate. Use some weights around the edges, like bricks or stakes, to keep them in place in case it’s windy overnight. Once the sun comes up in the morning and temperatures are above freezing, you can remove the sheet.
Southern Living adds: “Sheets can help prevent frost damage. Generally, you should use breathable fabric that won’t trap moisture or overheat, which is why old sheets or comforters can work in a pinch (and why plastic coverings aren’t recommended). Thicker, heavier sheets provide more protection than thin ones, but you can always double them.”