Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: auntyfifi on March 17, 2012, 08:59

Title: Frosted herbs
Post by: auntyfifi on March 17, 2012, 08:59

Bonjour Guys, been a while since i have been on here, but you have always helped  me
immensely in the past.

I had a beautiful herb garden with a fabulously healthy rosemary bush, thyme and lemon thyme, that had survived 2 hard winters over here in France.  Unfortunately after this years ice age conditions, which lasted around 2 weeks with worst case temps of -22, rather chilly.  The poor little things have severe frost bite, as in turned black.  Is this condition terminal, or can they be saved.  I am quite happy to start again and remove the plants as I have now got a composter so they wont go to waste, but I dont want to remove them if there is any chance of redemption. :)

Any info would be greatly received.

Many thanks
Fif's xxxx

Title: Re: Frosted herbs
Post by: Yorkie on March 17, 2012, 10:33

How much of the plants are affected?

You could always try the thumbnail test low down on the main stem, to check if the plant is still alive.

Scrape a very small amount of the top bark off with your thumbnail - if it's green or white underneath then there is hope.

Title: Re: Frosted herbs
Post by: auntyfifi on March 17, 2012, 11:14

Hi Yorkie,

Thanks for the info, I will try that, at the min they are looking pretty grim though :(.

Will let you know how I fair

Cheers Fif's xx

Title: Re: Frosted herbs
Post by: auntyfifi on March 18, 2012, 14:05

Hi Yorkie,

I have looked as you said at the bark and the top part of the bark is just peeling off quite easily, but underneath the the rest of the rosemary plant looks quite healthy and is quite light in colour, also just noticed a few sprigs on the underneath of the plant are still a little green. Am I right in thinking there is some redemption here???

If there is, would you advise me to cut the plant back and get rid of the dead stuff??

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Title: Re: Frosted herbs
Post by: mumofstig on March 18, 2012, 17:38

I'd leave well alone for now and see where it sprouts from - then you can prune accordingly  ;)

Title: Re: Frosted herbs
Post by: Kajazy on March 18, 2012, 23:30

I was amazed how many of my 'apparently dead' plants made it back to life after last year's shocking winter - as long as you don't desperately need the space, have you got anything to lose by waiting to see if they regenerate? I have faith...

Title: Re: Frosted herbs
Post by: auntyfifi on March 19, 2012, 23:01

Thanks Guys

Much appreciated

Happy growing

Cheers Fif's