Gardeners issued warning as exact date frost set to hit UK cities revealed
With frost expected as early as this month in one area, gardeners now face a race against time as they rush to protect their plants against the winter freeze
Weather data analysis has revealed the exact dates that the UK's major cities can expect to see ground frost, with one set to be hit as early as this month.
It means gardeners up and down the country now face an urgent race against time as they rush to protect their plants against the impending freeze.
Polhill Garden Centre explained that frost is a silent killer that can strike without notice and even occur when air temperatures appear to be safe.
It also said frost can damage or make short work of your plants, but the exact date that you can expect to see it depends on where in the country you're located.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are set to be struck first, October 31st and November 14th respectively, with the final date in the list falling on November 22nd in Manchester.
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The full predicted dates for the first ground frost across UK cities are as follows:
- Glasgow: October 31st
Edinburgh: November 14th
London: November 15th
Bristol: November 15th
Bradford: November 15th
Nottingham: November 15th
Leicester: November 18th
Coventry: November 18th
Cardiff: November 18th
Birmingham: November 21st
Sheffield: November 21st
Leeds: November 21st
Liverpool: November 22nd
Manchester: November 22nd
Josh Novell, speaking on behalf of Polhill Garden Centre, has shared four crucial steps that gardeners must take before the freeze, with the tips covering mulching, potted plants, watering and covering.
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Move your potted plants inside
Josh said: “Potted plants can be extremely susceptible to frost as their roots are more exposed to temperature fluctuations. Before the frost hits, these plants should be moved indoors, into a greenhouse, or under a sheltered area.”
Insulate using mulch
He explained that mulch can be used as a "kind of insulated blanket" that traps the warmth in the soil and protects the roots. You should apply organic mulch in a thick layer of roughly two to four inches around the base.
Josh said it could include things like straw, bark or leaves, with the practice assisting in warmth retention and allowing for the moisture to remain at stable levels.
Water your plants in the morning
Josh said:“Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, helping to moderate ground temperature. A well-hydrated plant is also more resilient to the stress of frost, as dry plants are more vulnerable to freezing damage.”
Cover your plants with fleece or cloches
Josh said you can safeguard your vulnerable plants with horticultural fleece, frost blankets or plastic cloches. These are different types of cover that can trap warmth and protect against frost.
If you have smaller plants, you should cover them with a cloche or bucket overnight, while larger plants will benefit from draped fleece or a different breathable fabric, which you can secure at their base.
The dates were gathered using a long-range weather forecast. Ground frost can appear when the air temperature is above freezing, often 1°C to 2°C, with wind speed and cloud cover also contributing to its formation.