This morning I got up to feed the dogs around 7:50. I looked out of our big window to see a white hillside full of shivering trees and chilly vines. Uh-oh, how is the potager looking? A quick glance told me all I needed to know. Even from 30 metres I could see that the climbing beans had all taken a real hit from a heavy frost. I know it was forecast, but there’s not a lot you can do when your beans are already planted out. When I planted them I knew I was running a risk and just hoped to steal a march on the season. But, sensing that this might happen, I ordered some replacement bean seeds about a week ago. They are due to be delivered today, so I’ll start them off in the greenhouse tomorrow.

The broad beans look rather crestfallen too, but they are hardy and will stand up again as soon as the sun comes up. Everything else is hardy. Lettuces, buckshorn plaintain, chard, spinach, radishes, onions, garlic, agretti, peas & kale will all survive perfectly well. The spuds are all planted deep enough that they should be OK despite the frozen top surface of the soil.

I checked the greenhouse and although the hotbed has now been dismantled the tomatoes, peppers and aubergines are all fine, despite the temperature plummeting to -0.1 overnight. I’m praying that’s the last of the frost although the forecast for the next few days isn’t exactly promising.