We had a FROST and my beans have died!

[traumaqueen]

I cannot believe it! I nurtured my heritage runner and climing french beans in the greenhouse using peat free compost, lovingly prepared a rich and delicious bed for them to grow in and a delightful rustic arch for them to grow over, planted them out, freecycled the leftovers and THEN WE HAD A FROST! In Surrey, in a sheltered town garden, in the middle of May. Now I am going to have to buy crappy commercially grown ones from the garden centre because I haven't got any seed left over.

Grrrr!

[meltedmarsbars]

Why did you plant them outside unprotected!

Its not that unusual to get frosts in ,iddle of May!

And you can still but more seed - they will germinate in two day in a greenhouse at this time of year.

[meltedmarsbars]

*middle

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

Oh dear, I am sorry. I went to the allotment yesterday and it was a scene of carnage for most lots. Lots of dying potatoes, beans, sweetcorn, tomatoes and courgettes.

I have only just planted my beans a few days ago. Tip given was just to whack a few in a larger pot round the edges as they grow quickly and won't have enough time to get too tangled. a few years ago the DC's did runners in jars and blotting paper during May half term and got a good crop, I think you still have time.

[Tn0g]

Cast n'er a clout 'til May is out.

Such a shame about your beans but May can be a harsh month in the garden with unexpected frosts and gusty winds.

BTW, I like the sound of your rustic arch, is it made from willow?

[meltedmarsbars]

It will cream cracker the apple crop too - they don't set in a frost.

[OutnumberedinHants]

Glad to hear from meltedmarsbars and Wynken that bean germination will be quick.
Saved some Dicentras with a few bits of bubble wrap last night but not enuf to save the beans. Apple crop probably decimated but luckily our pears had set already so probably OK.

[BreevandercampLGJ]

This is why my tomato plants are still indoors.

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

Ah, I had forgotten about DH's new apple tree in my frost calculations, knew there would be something.

[aJumpedUpPantryBoy]

I lost some tomatoes and courgettes - they were in hte greenhouse, but had been out there for weeks (courgettes planted there) so I thught they were fairly hardy.
In fact, they had survivied several other frosty nights, but last night was obviously colder.

I think my plum tree won't crop either

Luckily I always over-plant and I have replacement plants in the conservatory.

[taffetacat]

My beans toms peppers chillis and courgettes still indoors but oh! my poor potatoes

My first year for potatoes, didn't think to protect them. leaves look very sad. Stupid question, but given the tubers are underground, any chance new leaves will regrow and they will be OK?

< fingers crossed, deluded >

[1973magpie]

My potatoes are looking very sad too, but my Mum (Gardening Oracle to me!) says that there is a good chance that they will resprout again - I hope so, I am already growing my second set of runners as I very enthusiastically planted the first lot out early this month - won't make that mistake again! HTH

[helyg]

My potatoes are looking very unhappy

BTW the May (blossom) is out here, so the cast n'er a clout stuff doesn't count!

[taffetacat]

oh thanks 1973magpie's mum!

< peers anxiously out of window at cloche covered potatoes >

< horse, bolted, stable door etc >

[catinthehat2]

I'm assuming the tops are a bit frost bitten for my spuds (haven't checkd), but I'm not too worried, think they'll regenerate after a bit. There's plenty of growth under the surgface, and at this time of year frosts don't solidify the ground.

[taffetacat]

regenerate?? will my frostbitten pots morph into David Tennant?

< breathily excited >

[meltedmarsbars]

Apparently frost puts spuds back by about 10 days or so if it hasn't gone right into the ground.

[TracyK]

Bugger - I planted out all my carrot, peas, courgettes, broccolis last weekend - but..... so far no frost - and I'm in Scotland. It has been pissing down for the past 2 days though!

I'm keeping my tomatos in the greenhouse this year - got bugger all last year from them being outside. And my strawbs and my peppers. They can all stay inside.

[inthesticks]

I had put a few beans out in my sheltered walled garden. All dead.
Luckily I have loads still in the greenhouse. It's true that they will germinate very quickly if you sow now and you will probably have beans ready to go out in a couple of weeks. I do'n't do much nurturing though , just bung 6 or 7 to a 6" plantpot.

[catinthehat2]

Taffeta - no your potatoes won't do that.
Mine however MIGHT do.

[taffetacat]

cat - you must let me know what you put in your compost

[stealthsquiggle]

everything is currently crammed into our coldframe, but if I don't plant them out soon they are all going to get root-bound and not grow anyway . The tomatoes are actually going to be the first "volunteers" as they are going in wall baskets and will be sheltered (and if push comes to shove I have enough fleece for them).

Sweet peas. That's what our arch needs. Thank you, OP (and sorry about your beans).

[catinthehat2]

I couldn't possibly divulge that. I've already let too much out.

[taffetacat]

stealth - I am feeling for your volunteer tomatoes. I hope you will be giving them a stirring motivational talk as you rip them from the warmth and security of the coldframe..."What you do now, tomatoes ..."

[stealthsquiggle]

Absolutely, taffetacat - all about leading by example and all that, especially as they will be within sight of all their friends and colleagues in the cold frame.

Something has to give - the coldframe is full to capacity and I have peas in the kitchen which I am going to eat as pea shoots if they don't relocate soon.

[Takver]

stealthsquiggle, why not plant the peas out, they'll be fine - frost won't bother them.