Many areas of the country have had some good frosts which could have affected plants in your garden.
If you've experienced frost over the cooler season you may be starting to see visible signs of damage to your plants.
We've put together some top tips to help if you suspect your plants have been affected.
Before you reach for the pruners
It's tempting to tidy up frost-damaged plants straight away, but it's best to hold off for now. Damaged leaves and stems can help protect healthy growth underneath from any further cold snaps. Pruning too soon can also encourage fresh new growth, which may be vulnerable if more frosts are still to come. Instead, wait until the risk of frost has passed and new growth begins to appear before cutting back any damaged areas.
Hold off on feeding
Although your plants may look like they need a boost, avoid fertilising frost-damaged plants too early. Feeding encourages fresh new growth and if another frost arrives that tender growth can be damaged too. Instead, wait until temperatures begin to warm and you can see signs of new growth before applying fertiliser.
Give plants a helping hand
To support recovery without pushing new growth, apply Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic every 7-14 days. As a plant tonic rather than a fertiliser, seaweed tonic helps improve plant health and resilience while supporting recovery from winter stress. It can also be used proactively ahead of frost-prone periods to help give frost protection up to minus 5 degrees.
For best results, apply at a rate of 100ml per 9L watering can at 7-10 day intervals before the frosts are expected.
Don't forget the lawn
Lawns can also show signs of frost damage, often appearing yellow, brown or generally a little sad through winter. While it may be tempting to give your lawn a feed, grass growth slows significantly during colder weather meaning nutrients won't be taken up and used effectively. It's best to wait until temperatures rise and your lawn begins actively growing, then applying a lawn fertiliser like Tui LawnForce New Lawns.
Be patient
A tricky thing about frost damage is that it isn't always obvious straight away. Some plants may appear perfectly healthy for weeks after a frost, only to decline once the temperatures warm up. While severe damage can't always be reversed, don't write off a plant too quickly. Many plants are surprisingly resilient and may produce fresh growth once spring arrives.
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Tips for frost damaged plants Comments
Thanks for the great advice
Valerie
I have some plants damaged by frost. Thanks for the advice, will keep an eye on them
Gail
Hi I have beetroot with great leaf but tiny 'roots'. how do I increase the size of the root please? I did plant them into not well degraded horse poo-too much nitrogen? and if so, how long do you need to wait after feeding the soil thanks Victoria
victoria
Hi Victoria, you are on the button, too much ?poo? promotes leafy growth. Your current plants won't change their growth habit now, but you can start again with new plants. The leaves are tasty, use them in salads and slaws. Enjoy! Thanks, Tui Team.
jenna
When using seasol how much would you need for fruit trees and shrubs growing in large pots? Do you need to soak them, or just add to already watered plants?
Patsy
Hi Patsy, thank you for getting in touch. You can feed 30-70ml per 9 litre watering can/bucket. They can be dunked or soaked but if big heavy pots water the plants every 7-14 days. Soaking is usually done at the time of planting. Thanks, Tui Team.
jenna
Moss is very bad in my lawns. How do I fix it?
Robin Hutt
Hi Robin, Sulphate of Iron will control moss. Check out the info here for your question: http://www.tuigarden.co.nz/news/how-do-i-get-rid-moss-my-lawn All the best, Tui Team
jenna
Is there a benefit from slowing the frost thaw, eg, keep the sun off the plants for a while?
Diana
Hi Diana, it is difficult to slow the frost thaw, especially once the sun rises, ice damages plants when they defrost too quickly, causing plant cells in the leaves to burst. The best thing to do is sprinkle frosted plants with water to melt the ice before the sun hits them, this way plants defrost slowly and so prevent cells bursting. If you expect an overnight frost cover plants with frost cloth or newspaper to protect them.
Lianne