Warning to anyone with a garden covered in snow or frost

UK households with a garden have been issued a warning as further snow and ice is forecast across the UK.

Several yellow weather warnings are currently in force for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, North and south eest England, and Wales, with temperatures set to plummet over the coming days.

The Met Office has said low of -16C are possible in locations lying in snow in Scotland and Northern England this evening and the cold front will continue into Friday.

The bout of freezing weather has led to hazardous conditions, causing disruption on the roads and at airports, while frozen paths pose a dangerous slip risk for pedestrians.

The cold weather also poses hazards in gardens with UK households urged to protect their lawns from the severe conditions.

According to gardening experts, if your lawn is frosty or covered in a layer of snow you should avoid walking on it until the snow has melted.

This is because it can rupture the leaf cells causing the grass to become burned or scorched, leaving it looking black or brown.

Stepping on a wet or waterlogged lawn can also compact the soil which makes it harder for the lawn to drain, so it is best to wait until conditions are dry and frost or snow-free before walking on your grass.

Jamie Shipley, gardening expert and managing director of Hedges Direct, said: “If your grass is frosty or under a layer of snow, avoid stepping on it.

“This can burn or scorch the grass and leave black or brown footsteps.

“After periods of heavy rain, waterlogged lawns may need to be aerated.

“Use a garden fork or mechanical aerator to spike your grass and fill the holes with a blend of sharp sand and loam.”

He cautioned that the main focus of the month for gardeners should be guarding against sub zero temperatures.

He added: “Your main focus in the garden this month should be to check that your plants are protected in severe cold weather and keep everything tidy for when the real work begins later in the year.”