Bbrrrrr........

It’s been a while since we had a frost, however this morning it was a nippy -4.7C in the potager. The hens were whingeing away in their hen-house when I went down to let them out at 8:30, but after I’d opened the door they decided it was too cold outside and they’d opt for a lie-in instead. Then, an hour later, the sun was out and they were wandering happily up and down their run.

The brassicas were all looking a bit hang-dog in the frost but a couple of hours later they are back to normal and have perked up in the sun. Brassicas, salads, garlic, onions and broad beans are all fine with frost so there’s no harm done. If it gets worse I’ll fleece them.

Brussels sprouts doing fine in the frost.

Who’s been walking over my bed?

Higher up in the garden, by a south-facing wall and sheltered by the wide overhang of the roof the citrus trees were perfectly happy in -1.8C. I haven’t covered them yet and they look considerably better than in previous years. If the forecast is for an extended period of sub-zero temperatures I’ll cover them but for now it looks like the right decision. I’m continuing to water them as it’s very dry under the shelter of the roof.