Plants that survive freezing conditions do so by making their own antifreeze out of sugary starch
Frost is often the vegetable grower’s nemesis. It’s a constant cause of nervousness for me as I plant out tomatoes and peppers each spring, not to mention being the meteorological end-of-the-party for pretty much all tender crops come the autumn. And, in London, the first really hard frost tends to strike right about now.
There are some crops for which frost is not the enemy, but positively a bonus, dramatically improving their flavour. Here’s my guide to the crops that frost can benefit, the science of how it works and the ways gardeners can use it to their advantage.