Forum home› Plants

New plants but panicking over predicted snow/frost this week!

CardoonCardoon Posts: 24
in Plants

I'm totally new to gardening, so would be grateful for any advice. I received mail order plants this week to plant up a new 8x2m border. These are currently sitting outside on the patio and the plan was to get them in this weekend. Now I'm worried as the forecast is snow and frost for Sunday onwards and into next week. Most of the plants are fully hardy, but a few of them are borderline/frost hardy (Cistus, Verbena, Hebe). I live in Surrey. Do I get everything in this weekend while the weather will be OK, mulch well and hope for the best, or bring all the containerised plants into the garage until the weather improves? Thanks!

«1

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,157

    if they're still in pots I think I'd put thm in the garage for a few days. Extreme cold can't go on for much longer (please). A lot depends on where they've been up til now. Some plants are sold that have never been outside. Any sort of frost would be a shock to them..



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LeggiLeggi Posts: 489
    I agree, get them in the garage for a few days until it's warmer. That way you know you won't lose anything. It sounds like a coldframe might be of use to you too, very reasonably priced these days in normal high street shops.
  • CardoonCardoon Posts: 24

    Thanks for such a quick response. I can easily bring them all into the garage and then consider planting next weekend or the one after if necessary. I work 9-5 so won't have time to plant during weekdays. Any tips on looking after them for a couple of weeks holding in the garage? In any case, I've learnt a valuable lesson not to order too early next time.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,157

    Once the extreme cold/wind is over you could put them in a sheltered spot right up against the house. They'll be OK in the garage for a week if there's no heat in there



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • CardoonCardoon Posts: 24

    I have such a sheltered spot in a walled area near the house, so a week in the garage while the snow/frost passes followed by bringing them back out again next week looks like the way forward then. The garage is unheated and has large windows.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,157

    Agree with the bigger pots Verdun and get them into the soil before they're potbound, which doesn't take long once the growing season starts. 



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • CardoonCardoon Posts: 24

    The vast majority are in 2 litre pots, but there are a few in 9cm pots (Vinca minor, digitalis)

     

Sign In or Register to comment.