Gardeners urged to harvest vegetables before autumn frost sets in

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 09:44 · Archive

Gardeners should pick vegetables and protect their plants as frost approaches in early November.

As autumn weather intensifies with named storms expected to hit parts of the UK this weekend, gardeners are being advised to prepare their gardens for the colder months ahead. The first frost typically arrives in England and Wales from early November, making immediate action necessary to protect crops and plants.

Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society, recommends picking potatoes, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes now before rain and frost damage them. He notes these crops have been light after dry spells. Green tomatoes that cannot ripen indoors can be made into chutney, and leftover cucumbers can be pickled. Root vegetables can remain in the ground until December, after which carrots should be covered with cardboard to exclude frost, while beetroot, celeriac and turnips should be stored indoors in boxes of sand in cold regions. Parsnips and swedes are hardy enough to stay in place.

Brussels sprouts, a key Christmas dinner ingredient, need supporting with canes to prevent wind rock and root damage in the wet, blustery conditions. Any fruit remaining should be brought inside the house immediately.

How it is being reported

• November gardening jobs to do for the perfect Christmas dinnerIt's important to do these simple gardening tasks before the frost sets inThe Mirror · 24 Oct, 09:22
• Autumn is well and truly here — 6 things to do in your garden now, before frost hits'Gather vegetables before rain and frost spoil them.'Metro · 23 Oct, 15:49

In this story: Guy Barter · Royal Horticultural Society · England · Wales · UK

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