Well, its a bit late but the RHS sent us this advice about cold weather this week, because the association is an affiliate member. We thought we would reproduce it here again for you. It is slightly edited to make it more relevant to allotment growers.
Photo by Sally Ann Hayes
Coping with ice and heavy snow in your garden
The RHS Advisory Service has received a marked increase in calls from gardeners concerned about the affect the heavy snow and ice is having on their plants. Jenny Bowden, RHS Advisor says, “By taking sensible precautions gardeners can protect their plants and produce from the worst of the winter weather. With a bit of care and attention during this inclement weather people can avoid having to replace valuable plants, trees and shrubs.”
- Fruit trees and other woody plants can be pruned in weather down to -5°C
- Where fruit cage netting was left on, tap the snow off from beneath to reduce damage to the fruit cage. Repair cages that have already collapsed. Also remove snow from other structures including cloches and cold frames
- Winter vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and parsnips should be fine but beware some might rot after prolonged freezes
- Take care that stored produce including fruit doesn’t freeze
- Research suggests it is no longer necessary to break the ice on many ponds. However, ponds in which fish are kept or that have a large build-up of sediment or leaves do need oxygen. For these, continue to run water features to keep a section ice free and the water circulating
- To avoid bird baths freezing, insulate the bottom with bubblewrap or similar and replace water regularly.
- Mulching wet or frozen soil is best avoided
- Check the temperature in your greenhouse to maintain frost free conditions for plants such as citrus
- It’s best to avoid watering or feeding plants in pots and containers, even if it’s windy, until the weather thaws.
- Knock off snow from evergreens and conifer branches as there is a danger bent branches won’t rebound
- If boughs split, prune off the affected area ensuring the cut is tidy and snag-free
- It’s too late to put bubble wrap around containers to help insulate plant roots, but you could move them next to a house wall or porch.
- For indoor plants avoid overwatering and sudden drops in temperature
- And finally – beware as voles, mice and rabbits can become very hungry and use snow to scale fences and reach higher up stems to do damage
Well, now we know in case it snows again.
Laura Potts, one of our Scarcroft site plot holders, has kindly offered to give a demonstration on pruning soft fruit bushes for maximum fruit production and health. Laura will demonstrate how to prune gooseberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and summer and autumn fruiting raspberries. If there is sufficient interest she will also show blackberry and loganberry pruning and how to take cuttings. The demonstration will be suitable for all levels of gardeners but those new to soft fruit growing are particularly welcome.
If you would like to attend please meet at the Association shop on the Scarcroft Road site at 11am on Sunday 31st January. It is likely to run from 11am to 1pm, after which there will be tea and coffee in the shop. The demonstration will take place on a plot a short walk from the shop. The demonstration is open to all current Scarcroft and District Allotment Association members. You do not need to reserve a place to attend, just turn up on the day. There will be a charge of £1 per person attending, all money raised will be donated to Garden Organic's International Development programme. The International Development programme promotes and facilitates organic and ecological agriculture in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Their goal is to contribute to the wider understanding and practice of sustainable agriculture as a means to improving food security and environmental resilience. If you would like more information about Garden Organic please follow the links under the 'our favourite sites' section of the blog, down the right hand side of the page.