May frosts and even snowfall are not such rare phenomena. Experienced gardeners and gardeners prepare for them in advance. But this year, the weather was able to surprise everyone: such heavy snowfalls in May have not happened in a very long time. They especially scared novice summer residents.
What is the threat of atypical weather to plants, is it possible to help them and how to do it? We have collected for you simple and effective recommendations for saving the garden and vegetable garden after the May snowfall.
Preventive measures
At the moment, it is too late to use these measures, but knowing them will save you from many problems in the future. The main assistant of the gardener and gardener is the weather forecast. Check with him before planning any business. If there is a promise of snow and cold - act.
The best solution would be to cover the landings with light non-woven material. First of all, protect flowering plants, young seedlings, planted seedlings. It is also important for beds with strawberries. In addition, mulch all early plantings. A layer of mulch will protect the roots from freezing.
If you managed to decorate the garden with plants in containers or pots, move them indoors during bad weather.
Before the cold weather, you can feed the plantings with fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus, but after the frosts recede, nitrogen fertilization can be applied to the soil.
And it is very important not to rush to plant plants in open ground and even greenhouses. Wait for the second half of May, when both cooling and snowfall are less likely.
What can be done during the May snowfall and cold weather
Take care of the seedlings that have already been planted in the greenhouse. Cold weather will not necessarily destroy crops, but it will noticeably slow down their growth. In heated greenhouses, such a problem is easily solved. If there is no heating, bring a few hot bricks inside (following safety precautions) or place large containers with hot water (the water must be heated as it cools). It will not be superfluous to cover all cracks and holes.
You can place special smoke bombs in the garden, they should smoke throughout the frost period, especially at night. Another way to protect the garden is watering. Here it is important to observe two conditions: it should also be continuous, and the water should be sprayed very finely.
Measures to restore the garden and vegetable garden after the May snowfall and cold weather
Do not panic! Although May snow makes gardeners worry, it is quite possible to reap a good harvest after it. If it does snow, the best thing you can do is just leave it alone. There is no need to shake it off the trees or try to collect it from the beds. Moreover, when it gets colder, it will still serve you well: it will become a natural insulator.
After the frost has passed and the snow has melted, spray the garden with cold water. It needs to be sprayed very finely. Cover the trees watered in this way with non-woven material for a day: it will help keep them cool, which is necessary during sudden warming.
An important step is to inspect the garden and remove damaged branches. Do not delay this procedure; remove broken, blackened, dried branches. Treat cut areas if necessary.
After frosts, preferably in the evening, spray the garden with anti-stress drugs. After a week, the procedure should be repeated. Abundant watering can also minimize the effects of stress. Anti-stress medications can also be used on plants that are planted in a greenhouse.
Unfortunately, snow and cold have a bad effect on the activity of pollinating insects, so the harvest on those trees that have already begun to bloom may not be as abundant.
As for the garden, most likely by this time you have already planted potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, and beets. The good news is that these crops are not afraid of either snow or cold snap in May.
How to understand that plants cannot be saved
Yellowed and even blackened tops of tomato and pepper seedlings are an unpleasant sight. But if the roots are not frozen, then after removing the dead shoots the plant can still recover.
But if you find this on cucumber or eggplant seedlings, then instead of rescue measures, the seedlings will have to be replaced. Especially if a few days after the frost subsides, the “picture” does not change. The seedlings will also have to be replaced if the plants completely change color and fall off.
Blackened and soggy cabbage seedlings also do not bode well. Alas, she can no longer be saved.
Check the weather forecast again and take those measures that can still protect your future harvest.
