Frost

[lafrancaise]

I've had my present garden for 16 years and have noticed that once the lilac is coming out into flower, there's never been any frost after that. Has anybody got other indicators of the last of the frosts?

[hammerman]

I was always told by my old horticulure tutor that the usual cut off time for frost is 10th May. I took notice of this and for a good for years, it was correct.

But that was 25 years ago and the seasons have all moved a bit. Frost, and even snow are likely throughout may and even in to early June. The old saying "cast not a clout till may is out" is pretty true

Wouldn't even think about putting tender plants out until around 10th June

[lafrancaise]

Yes, that what I was taught too but I've been able to put pelagoniums etc out at end of April because the lilac's been in flower. This year will probably have to wait a couple of weeks more; though the lilac buds have doubled in size this last week...

[Thunderbird+]

Well I've always kept a careful eye on nature, leaves and flowers etc but a lot of it seems haphazard and down to luck, that was until I saw a tv programme, a few years ago hosted by, non other than Alan Titchmarsh, who said that generations of gardeners have used the leafing of the mullbery tree as a reliable indicator for putting out tender plants into the garden,ever since then I've used the mullberry as a sign, before I take off the wraps of my "hardy" banana and other tender plants and so far so good.

[lafrancaise]

Now that's going to be difficult Thunderbird as I don't know what a mulberry tree is! I'm sure I haven't one in the garden ... yet....

[Thunderbird+]

Sorry lafrancaise, I did'nt mean to be difficult, Ispelt it wrong too (just one L) The black mulberry (Morus nigra) if you want to check it out. It was introduced to Britain about 400 years ago to start a silk industry, they got it wrong too, it is the white mulberry that the silk worm feeds on. Anyway it dose have delicious edible red fruits that turn black when ripe, which are best eaten straight from the tree as they are very squashy. It only gets to about 20ft when full grown and only needs to be pruned if it has any dead wood. I dont have one in my garden either but there is one in a near-by park. If your French, I think its grown in France too. Bon Chance!

[lafrancaise]

Thank you for that, Thunderbird. Given the latin, I DO have one in the garden!! mind you I've never dared eat the berries. It does come into leaf very late and also loses its massive leaves all in one go after a frost.

Thanks for this info. I can now go round the mulberry bush in my own garden!