Frost and cold damage
Growing problem Late frosts and cold snaps blacken tender growth and ruin blossom.
What to look for
Blackened, limp leaves and shoots after a cold night, brown blossom that fails to set fruit, and soft rot on tender plants.
When: March to May, and again from October.
How to prevent it
- Plant tender crops such as tomatoes, courgettes and beans only after the last frost, usually mid-May in most of the UK.
- Harden off plants gradually for 7 to 10 days before planting out.
- Keep fleece or cloches ready to cover plants on frosty nights.
- Avoid planting blossom trees in frost pockets at the bottom of slopes.
How to deal with it
- Leave damaged growth in place until new shoots appear in spring, as it protects lower buds.
- Cut back only to healthy new growth.
- Cover blossom on small trees and wall-trained fruit with fleece when frost is forecast.
Crops it affects
If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.