Frost-damaged plants

The lengthy spell of sub-zero temperatures has likely wrought havoc on your garden plants.

With the weather looking very kindly for getting out into the garden this weekend and beyond, you might be tempted to take the secateurs to your frost damaged plants to tidy away the affected shoots. However in most cases it is best to hold fire for now.

There is every chance we will have more frosts before the winter's out, and that dead outer growth will be able to act as a blanket to protect the heart and the rootball of the plant - if you clear it away you are exposing healthier lower growth to the full force of the cold, risking further damage or worse.

Wait till spring and you should be amazed by how many plants bounce back into fresh growth!

The exception to the rule is if if the damaged material is rotting or mouldy. This could spread into healthy shoots and leaves, so is best removed.