Omlet cube and run

[welovemarmite]

Looked at the weather forecast and seen that the night temps next week are falling to below zero. I have seedlings in a cold frame (one of those multi shelved ones and they are on the top shelf). THe cold frame is in a sheltered area in the garden. Do i need to do anything to help protect the seedling over night? Asking now so i can get prepared!

[chickencam]

Probably depends on what they are. My dad planted some peas just before the cold snap and the snow, he had no choice but to leave them in the cold frame during the snow, and they have survived very well, despite the frame being under a foot of snow for a week. If they are very small young seedlings it might be worth throwing a blanket or something over the frame at night. I have got a large candle at the ready to light in my greenhouse if it gets too cold overnight this week because I have quite a few just germinated seedlings just out of the warmth of the propagator.

[sjp]

put a sheet or 2 of newspaper of the seedling using the fold like a ridge of a tent from about an hour after teatime to keep the damp of the seedling that way if it does go down past -1 the newspaper will freeze but a lot will depend on how cold it goes and how early in the night but this time of year it shouldn't go that cold much before dawn. plus those type of cold frames do keep a little bit warmer than a glass one just zip them up once the sun is off them or at tea time

[welovemarmite]

Thanks. They are mainly brassicas, courgettes and tomatoes... But my brussels and cauli look at bit sorry for themselves. the red cabbage and kale look good though.

[sjp]

the only ones that might suffer are the courgettes and tomatoes courgette plant been more water that plant

[welovemarmite]

thanks, may just bring those two in at night then.

[LolaLayla]

Isn't it awful to have to be worrying about frost at this time of the year I use bubble wrap in the greenhouse over winter to protect things. I have put my seedlings in the greenhouse this weekend (having moved them from the conservatory) so I hope they will be ok. I also have some lettuce in the cold frame. It looks like the forecast here is just above freezing so I hope all will be ok.

[welovemarmite]

well i posted some seeds direct into the soil yesterday, so i will have to get out there and protect them at the weekend....

[chickencam]

Seeds in the soil should be ok, because they will be insulated from the frost, young seedlings and things like potatoes when they have just come up are vulnerable though. At this time of year it doesn't tend to be cold for long so most things will be ok.

[sjp]

Isn't it awful to have to be worrying about frost at this time of the year

it's still only April I've know frost as late as early July not that I worry about frost been a gardener for to long I don't plant out anything that isn't frost hardy till late May, none of my squash/cucumber type plants get sown until early May bank Holiday, I started my first beans on Sunday had to re sow 20+ pot's of Tomatoes partly non germination(2nd year running ) partly my own carelessness I forgot to turn the propagators off and open the vents before I went to work Friday

[welovemarmite]

this is my first real year of trying to do it (without having to give up due to long term illness or forced use of crutches) so i really am still learning. I went by the backs of the seed packets but stupidly didnt take into account the delay caused by the weather. I will probably start my runner beans next weekend in pots.

 

I put a load of fruit bushes and rhubarb in just before the second cold snap. The kiwi is showing signs of life now, but the raspberries, gooseberry and rhubarb arent.

[sjp]

with seed packets you also need to take into account were in the country you live, that's why they give a broad sowing time the further North you live the later you sow. I was on an Allotment site yesterday and a plot holder had runner beans outside hardening off ready to plant he'll stand a chance of loosing the lot if we get the frost their forecasting. I think he'll be one that always plants the out on the same day every year come hell or high water

[welovemarmite]

lol, well I will learn from my mistakes. Apart from my runner beans my seeds have either been free, or purchased in previous year but wasnt able to carry on with them due to the crutches. So, i decided this year just to grow what i had in order to learn and actually get something in the ground. I will be so happy when i actually manage to harvest something i dont think i will care what they are.

 

But, i have orders for runner bean relish, so have the need to grow plenty. Hoping 10 plants will be enough!