[Paul Plots]

Down on south coast we can't rule out a late frost until end of April and have been known to get one last whack in early May..    Usually they are rare but one is enough to do the damage!

[Kristen]

Last year someone recommended starting off a few beans early on (about now or earlier) to plant out early to mid May, and then start the rest at 1st May, to be ready for 1st June planting out.

If there is a late frost the early beans will goners, but if not they'll provide an early start to the crop.

[Mike.white]

I've seen loads of ladybirds too! 

[DD.]

Last year someone recommended starting off a few beans early on (about now or earlier) to plant out early to mid May, and then start the rest at 1st May, to be ready for 1st June planting out.

If there is a late frost the early beans will goners, but if not they'll provide an early start to the crop.

You'll find things catch up. 3 weeks earlier planting does not mean 3 weeks earlier cropping.

I lost some runner beans last year with the frost, the replacements cropped within a few days of the others that survived.

I did two sowings of peas last year, 2 weeks apart. They were 3 days apart with the cropping.

[matron]

A few years ago we had a frost in early June and lost our outdoor tomato plants  . Very little goes out here until June.

[richyrich7]

I've seen loads of ladybirds too! 

I know I've probably missed it but what's ladybirds got to do with last frosts ? 

[mumofstig]

Late april in North Wales.  Apparently you will not get a frost if you have seen a ladybird,and I haven't seen one yet.

To put it bluntly that's cobblers
Just searched for the post when i first saw them and it was in january!!
Think we've had a few frosts since then

just to bring you up to date

[richyrich7]

Late april in North Wales.  Apparently you will not get a frost if you have seen a ladybird,and I haven't seen one yet.

To put it bluntly that's cobblers
Just searched for the post when i first saw them and it was in january!!
Think we've had a few frosts since then

just to bring you up to date

  yes thanks IMHO cobblers is about right

[Ivor Backache]

Re the ladybirds--I did say 'apparently'.  My problem is the allotment is drying out and needs watering. Cannot rely on the weather forecasts. Living on the coast does have some benefits of very little frost. I just get on with it. If I have a knockback, I know a second sowing will soon catch up as described by DD.

[JulesJ]

I put some Ildi toms (half my plants) in our plastic greenhouse last week, in big pots with plastic bottles on the top. They're thriving but I'm not going to get complacent; ready to mother them if the weather turns cold again. It's actually warmer in our greenhouse than I thought, apart from if we have a severe frost.

[sunshineband]

Late april in North Wales.  Apparently you will not get a frost if you have seen a ladybird,and I haven't seen one yet.

We had ladybirds out in early January, so this can't be right!!!

[Salmo]

As many frosts in May as fogs in March. I seem to remember several foggy mornings in March!!

I have seen frost pockets on the fens where dwarf bean crops were scorched in early July. Rare event but it can happen.

[Yorkie]

All our gardening experts at the local hortic college say never to plant out anything tender until June in order to be pretty sure of avoiding late frosts.  "ne'er cast a clout til May is out".  My mum remembers her dad using the same phrase and he was coastal north wales.

[yummy]

Says last one here is early May. I had runner beans get frosted and killed in early June last year 

[mumofstig]

Well it is only an average of....o i forget how many years...sorry