Top Job for April – Protect Blossom from late frost

Traditionally our UK climate tends to warm up from May onwards. The last frosts generally finish by the end of May.

This means that flowers and the blossom of shrubs and trees flowering before that time can be vulnerable to frost. Especially if planted in frost pockets, i.e. low-lying areas of the garden.

Camellia and magnolia blossom can turn overnight from pretty colours to a murky brown if a frost hits. And a fruit tree’s blossom hit by frost can mean a substantially reduced harvest that year.

This damage can be avoided by protecting the blossom the night before frost is predicted.

Cover shrubs and small trees with two or three layers of horticultural fleece the night before a frost is predicted and remove the next day to allow pollinating insects access to the flowers.

If you are growing your fruit trees on walls or fences, then use the same method. However, use some canes to keep the material free from the delicate blossom.

Fruit blossoms on strawberries can be protected by covering the plant with a cloche overnight.

If your blossoming plants are potted and able to be moved, you could try to move them indoors overnight. Either move them into a greenhouse, sheltered area or indoors.

It’s much more difficult to protect blossom on tall trees due to their size.  If feasible, throw a tarpaulin over the tree, securing the sides to the ground with tent pegs.

Try to do this with a ladder and see if you can get someone to help you, to avoid injury.

Keeping grass around the trees mown short can help as short grass absorbs heat during the day better than tall grass, releasing it during the night to warm the area.