As we have been feverishly working in the garden for the past few days without coats on and having lunch outside on the porch, I decided to ask AI if the first frost-free date is changing in Ireland.
Here is ChatGPT's response.
Yes, the first frost-free date in Ireland is shifting, with frost days occurring less frequently than in the past, according to Met Éireann. Frost days have reduced by an average of 29.8% between the 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 periods.
Here are the key details regarding changes in Ireland's frost trends:
Longer Frost-Free Periods: While variations occur year-to-year, the general trend indicates a reduction in frost days across all seasons.
Warm Winters: Research from 1950 to 2022 shows that Ireland is losing its coldest winter days.
Variable First Autumn Frost: Despite the overall warming trend, the first autumn frost can still appear early, with 2022 seeing its earliest first frost in 30 years (September 17). However, this is against a background of fewer frost days overall.
Regional Differences: The first autumn frost typically occurs in October for inland locations, but not until December or early January in coastal areas of the west and south, though this is changing as temperatures rise.
Historical Context: 2023 had 169 consecutive frost-free days.
While the trend is toward fewer frosts, gardeners should still monitor annual conditions, as late spring frosts can still occur.
And here's a nifty source of average frost-free dates around Ireland from plantmap. For Castlebar, it is April 11-20.
And now for the piéce de resistance, we cracked open a bottle of our 2025 Solaris vintage to accompany a dinner of lobster in a light creamy pasta sauce. It was a fabulous meal. I am pleased to report that the wine was superb, with complex notes that lingered on the palate. Beautiful colour, too. Alex is not a great fan of whites except Albarino, and he loved it. So did I. We made ourselves proud.
Now if only the Rondo turns out well...
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