A frost occurs when the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees centigrade. It is destructive to plants in two ways, water is rendered unavailable to plant roots and the cells of sensitive plants are ruptured. These dangers are linked along with the severity and length of your frost as well as the constitution of your plant, in Britain we leave our Roses unprotected over winter, but in some parts of Scadinavia and N. America straw or sacking protection is necessary.
Late spring frosts which occur after growth has started are the most damaging of all. The danger signs are clear skies during the evening, a northerly wind which decreases at dusk and a settled dry period during the previous few days. The risk to a plant is reduced if there are overhanging branches above, other plants around, heavy soil below and the coast in close proximity. In frost-prone areas avoid planting fruit trees and delicate shrubs. Provide some form of winter protection for choice specimens.
Frost pocket: A frost pocket is a place which can be abnormally prone to early autumn and late spring frosts. It occurs where a solid barrier is present on a sloping position, replace this with an open barrier which allows air through. A frost pocket can also be formed in a hollow at the bottom of a sloping position.
Wind: The spectacular effects of a gale are well known, broken branches , knocked-over pots etc. But the effects of persistent winds are less well known, lop-sided plants due to the death of buds on the windward side, and small growth due to the cooling and drying effect on the growing point. On open sites a windbreak might be necessary, but never use a dense screen. A wall or closed fence will create down-draughts on iether side and plants will be harmed. A hedge, on the other hand, will gently reduce wind speed for a distance of 15 - 30 times its height.
Rainfall: An average annual rainfall is 34 inches in England. Unlike some other areas of the globe there is no distinct rainy season, but October to January is usually the wettest period. The driest region is the Thames Estuary (20 inches), the wettest spots are the mountains of Wales and Scotland (175 inches). The U.K record, however, belongs in the Lake District (275 inches) in 1954 at Springkling Tarn.
A drought is a period of 15 consecutive days without measurable rainfall, and droughts do occur at fairly regular intervals in Britain. Thorough watering is important at such times, or else plants will suffer or die. Snow is certainly a mixed blessing, a blanket of snow can protect plants which would otherwise be damaged by arctic-like winds, but heavy snowfalls can damage or break the branches of evergreens.
Altitude: The height of your garden has an impact on the general climate. For every 600 ft. increase in altitude, the average annual temperature falls by 2 degrees and the start of the growing season is delayed by 3 days. Solar energy decreases whereas both rainfall and wing speed increase.
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