May is being unseasonably cold yesterday being the coldest night for 16years reaching down to below freezing in many parts of England and colder still in Scotland.

For gardeners it means don’t plant out unprotected any tender plants or vegetable, namely bedding plants, and most vegetables.

Protect the tops of potatoes from frost with fleece.

If  the recent warm spell tempted you and you have already planted out use a cloche to protect from frost.

This is also the time of year gardeners are hardening off plants and during this cold spell keep plants indoors.

By the weekend it should be warmer although according to the forecast this may only be a blip. It’s always a gamble with our weather whenever you plant out, but later is better unless you are in a very sheltered part of the country.