As of: March 27, 2024, 7:30 p.m
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High-yielding apple, pear and cherry trees are the dream of many hobby gardeners.
However, late frosts are an ever-increasing danger for early-flowering fruit trees.
Spring has actually long since arrived, and winter is briefly striking again.
This is inconvenient for us humans because we then have to get the winter jacket out of the closet that was actually already stowed away.
However, this extreme temperature fluctuation can even be dangerous for plants.
The tender, new shoots of fruit trees are particularly at risk during late frosts.
Late frost: Subzero temperatures in spring are becoming increasingly dangerous for plants and fruit trees
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the term “late frost” – sometimes also called “spring frost” – refers to the frost that occurs after the start of the growing season.
This means that temperatures will drop below zero again when flowers, bushes and fruit trees have already started to produce their spring blossoms.
The risk of late frost exists in most parts of Germany until around mid-May.
Hobby gardeners talk about the “Ice Saints”, when the last cold polar airs move over the country in mid-May.
After that there is usually no more frost and sensitive potted plants can be put outside after the egg season.
If it freezes again in spring, fruit trees can suffer.
© Imago
Late frosts are so dangerous because they can damage new shoots on plants that are not yet as resilient and can die in the cold weather.
This is annoying for a hobby gardener.
But if this affects an apple or vegetable farmer or a winemaker, then late frost can also cause considerable financial damage.
In addition, late frosts are becoming increasingly dangerous because the weather in spring tends to become warmer due to climate change, but late frosts remain unchanged.
According to Waldnews.de
, this means
that plants bloom earlier and earlier and are therefore increasingly at risk of losing young shoots to late frost.
Fruit trees and plants: detect and treat frost damage
Frost damage to plants and trees can manifest itself in various ways.
If leaves are affected, they can
hang limply and look dried out, according to
Forestbook.info .
They also often curl up or shrink to a smaller size.
The leaves may also turn dark.
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If branches suffer frost damage, they will also turn black and dry out at the tips.
Tree trunks can also crack from the change between warm and cold temperatures.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter from our partner 24garten.de.
If frost damage has already occurred, you should
remove the dead leaves immediately so that new ones can form, according to
Baumpflegeportal.de .
Dead shoots should only be cut after the next shoot.
In general, hobby gardeners should only prune fruit trees moderately.
If there are frost cracks in the tree trunk, it is recommended to wrap the trunk with black film and secure it in place to prevent pests, fungi and bacteria from spreading through the crack in the tree.
Protect plants from frost: Protect potted plants and fruit trees
The first step in protecting against late frost is the location of the fruit trees.
When it comes to fruit bushes or trees, they should be planted in good places right from the start.
The south sides of houses and sheltered places, such as behind sheds or hedges, are best suited.
When it comes to plants in pots, they can be protected from frost quite easily.
It's best to put the pots in a protected place on frosty nights, for example in the garage or shed.
Sometimes it can be enough to simply place the pots a little higher, such as on a windowsill, because pools of cold air can form near the ground, which further intensifies the frost effect.
The trunks of fruit trees can be protected from frost with a white coat of lime.
This prevents the bark from cracking and pests from entering.
It is best to do this painting in the fall.
Alternatively, it can also help to wrap the tree trunks in fleece or foil.
The buds of fruit trees that are already forming are more difficult to protect from frost.
According to
Baumpflegeportal.de,
nurseries often use the trick of watering their trees before frosty nights.
Then the water freezes first and not the flower itself, creating a kind of protective layer.
If you like, you can try to water your fruit trees or you have to hope that the frost doesn't cause too much damage.