Summer temperatures have made many hobby gardeners want to plant. Now even frost is possible. With some plants you should now react quickly.
Munich – temperatures over 20 degrees, plus a huge selection in flower and garden centers. This combination has enticed many hobby gardeners to become active in the garden. Whether in the greenhouse, on the terrace or balcony - there has been a lot of planting in the last few days. But the summer weather is over for now. The temperatures are approaching freezing point, and snow even fell in parts of Bavaria on Tuesday. How dangerous will it be for flowers and vegetables?
Even at temperatures below five degrees, geraniums, petunias and the like are threatened with cold shock
Geraniums, petunias or hanging incense – many people particularly like to decorate their balconies with these plants. What these plants have in common is that they are sensitive to cold. If the thermometer falls below five degrees, there may be a risk of cold shock, as Klaus Moser explains. The 35-year-old already has over 15 years of experience in the industry and knows how plants react under which conditions.
In the worst case, the plants will not survive.
Klaus Moser, specialist salesperson
Moser is currently using his expertise to advise customers at the Seebauer garden center in Ramersdorf. If you already have boxes of geraniums etc. hanging on your balcony, you should bring them into your house in the coming nights. Cool rooms are better suited for this than warm ones. There are also other ways to protect plants from frost. Moser is keeping a close eye on the temperatures for the next few days. The closer it gets to freezing point, the more dangerous it becomes: “In the worst case, the plants won’t survive.”
Vegetables also suffer from the drop in temperature - grave lights can help in the greenhouse
In addition to flowers, many vegetable plants also prefer warm rather than cold. Cucumbers already suffer at temperatures below 10 degrees. Tomatoes are a little more robust, but should also be brought indoors overnight in the next few days. “Otherwise you won’t have much fun with it in the summer,” warns Moser. The yield may be significantly worse during the harvest season. In summer, storms and hail pose a danger to plants.
If you use a greenhouse in your garden, you have to get creative when it comes to protecting vegetables. If necessary, Moser recommends setting up grave candles and letting them burn overnight. Two or three pieces are often enough to raise the temperature sufficiently.
Planting: the difficult question of the perfect time
It's probably the most common question salespeople hear at flower or garden centers. The question of the perfect time to start planting in the garden. Severin Komander, owner of the flower shop of the same name in Maxvorstadt, is traditionally based on the Ice Saints. According to the old farmers' rule, there is another risk of frost this year between May 11th and 15th. “I wouldn’t start before that,” says Komander.
Moser would like to be a little less specific. He believes the current cold snap will be the last of this magnitude. Looking at the weather forecast, you can start planting after the temperature drops. Even with those who prefer it warm to cold.