Frog spawn and cold weather

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by fletch, Mar 29, 2010.

  1. fletch

    fletch Gardener

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    Firstly, apologies if this is in the wrong place.

    In January I fished about 20 large dead frogs out of my pond :(. I was on holiday for the worst of the weather and it froze solid and I couldn't defrost it.
    Over the last week or so a few frogs have returned and have been getting jiggy and spawned, quite a lot too :yho:.

    Now, I'm forecast sub zero night temps for Tuesday and Wednesday night and heavy snow. Will it be ok to just leave it or should I fish it out and put it in a bucket (or I have a spare fish tank).

    I normally leave nature to it, but after fishing all those dead frogs out I wondered if I should intervene?
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    Hi Fletch,
    Well I had 5 dead frogs last year due to the sudden cold & snow we had, so I understand your sentiments... :scratch: However frog spawn is surprisingly tough stuff & frost doesn't always kill it.. I think we should let Mother Nature take care of her own myself.. But that is just me.. :)
     
  3. RandyRos

    RandyRos Gardener

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    I've heard if it gets cold the spawn will sink to protect itself. Dunno if its true tho. I have some spawn atm as well, our first home grown stuff! I dont want to lose it :(
     
  4. SpiderInTheBath

    SpiderInTheBath Apprentice Gardener

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    I have also heard that it is OK if it freezes. I believe that there are places in Scotland where it freezes solid and is still OK when it thaws out in Spring.
     
  5. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I've sort of seen things a bit different.
    I've had frogspawn in my pond frozen in some years, and I think freezing kills it.
    The thing is that there is usually plenty below the surface that survives, bearing in mind that round about now the ice formed will be thin and only short lived.
     
  6. roders

    roders Total Gardener

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    :) Frogspawn arrived today,just over two weeks later than the last two years...............Must be the cold weather.
    Main thing is , it's here.
    In the past, sharp frosts have turned the very top spawn milky assuming that dies,but everything else lives..........Then the fish eat 95% of the rest....such is nature.
     
  7. loopy lou

    loopy lou Gardener

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    i have frogs but no spawn as yet

    loopy
     
  8. fletch

    fletch Gardener

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    Well the forecast has been revised to 0C and sleet now so I'll leave it to it for the time being.

    They're very *ahem* busy frogs, there's loads of spawn :yho:.
     
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