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Perennials Container Gardening garden

Can I move seedlings outside when its 40 degrees at night?

Jennifer Heller

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I have quite a few hollyhock seedlings that are starting to get very tall and outgrow their temporary containers. This is my first year trying to start plants indoors so I have only used the window/sunlight technique and most of them appear to be thriving. Now that they are about three weeks old I am concerned that their roots will run out of room to grow and they won't make it. Right now we still have small periods of snow but starting May 1 it appears it will be an average of 40 at night. Would it be okay to move them outside or will it still be too cold? I've also had trouble getting them outside to "harden" since it has been raining here almost everyday. I also have phlox as well but I'm not as worried since they are smaller. I live in Massachusetts.

Comments (5)

Jennifer Heller
Original Author
3 years ago
beesneeds
3 years ago
If it's too cold and wet to harden them off, it's too cold and wet to just move them outside. You still need to take the time to harden them off.
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Dave is certainly giving you the correct answer, however....................I find that I can usually get away with just leaving them out there. It does depend on several things, the health/strength of the seedlings, the amount of sun, the amount of wind and the temperature range that is happening. I put all of my broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce out on my screened in back porch and just left them there. They are about 4 weeks along, strong and healthy plants. They have been out there for three days and are very happy. Temperatures have been high 60's dropping down to high 30's at night, with light rain. They get a few hours a day of dappled sun (when it is out) I will plant them in their beds this weekend. If its sunny I may use shade cloth for a few days. I am in WI - we wont have 90 degree weather for a couple of months.(i hope)
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If you can locate some old storm windows , prop them up againt a southern-facing wall and stach plants underneath. i can start putting perennials and such out immediately. I have had my perennial seedling out on the patio in ols aquariums with glass laid across the top.they made it thru the snow and cold w/o problems. I put them out early MArch. will probably put my delicates out in a couple of weeks once I get my ""cold-frames"" emptied of the lettuce and perennials. If it looks like it is going to get too cold at night, I just drag the tenders in for the night or throw an old canvas tarpover the glass. have been doing this for years now the only thing I frosted were my loofa seedlings last spring. the plants grew but refused to even form any blossoms mary Mary
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It won't hurt to cover them. Temps in the 40's isn't usually too bad though. It's when you get to the low 30's that frostbite can be a problem. Last winter when we had frost predicted, I covered most of my growing tips with socks until we ran out of them. Then we used small plastic seedling pots. A few of the plastic pots blew off in the wind and two growing tips were damaged. It wasn't a total loss because the plants are large enough to recover and have branched below the frost-bit parts. None of the plants with socks had any damage. Give it a try. Can't hurt. Good luck.
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Not having a green house but having had to protect tender plants over winter more times than I can count, I'll offer the following suggestions: Add another layer of clear plastic over and around your greenhouse (if it's not too big to do so). The small but effective layer of air you'll create will lessen/slow the escape of heat from the glass panes. Big box stores carry rolls of heavy gauge plastic which open out to large widths and work perfectly for the purpose. Use duct tape or similar to attach as necessary. Remember that heat radiates easily through single pane glass (both in and out) and any efforts to minimize that heat loss will pay off over both the short and long term. In summer, just remove the plastic and fold for use in future seasons... The size of the extension cord you use may not necessarily provide more heat but may/will reduce your electric bill if you have a long run (distance) from the power source to the heater. Heavier is always better once you get past the "just light bulbs only" stage... Although it may not be possible on short notice, add dark colored bricks or masonry blocks (used or broken works fine) to your greenhouse floor and shelves to trap ambient heat (both sun and other sources) during the day and which will be released slowly during the night time hours. I doubt that the Christmas lights will add even a degree to the overall temp although I applaud you for thinking of possible remedies. Good luck! Steve
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
But once they're hardened off they will not be remotely bothered by 40f. I can't see any roots through the sides of the pots so I think they've a got a bit of room to grow still.
christine 5b
3 years ago
You've done a great job, they will be fine for a couple more weeks, don't rush into starting to harden them off. The weather is still nasty here in NY too,I can't wait to get stuff outside to, Ive always followed the rule of waiting til after Mother's Day which is 5-10 this year.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
get a box .. like a shoebox or something... whatever they will all fit in .... put them all in it ... and carry them outside.. full bright shade .. on nice days ... put the porchlight on when they go out ...

later that night.. when you wonder why the porchlight is on.. bring them back in .. lol ..

leave them in the house on windy or cold days ... or put them under something if rain is predicted... dont want to batter them ...

after a week or 2 .. you can probably start leaving them in the garage overnight and not bring them in the house ... you are acclimating them to temps ... and full shade is much more light intense than thru windows ...

i used to have a kids wagon with all my plants.. and it went in and out of the garage as i left the house for the day ...

and of course.. year to year.. in my MI ... it varied .. and we used mothers day to plant seeds ... but it was also when we went to the nursery and bought out tender annuals... and most often planted them that day ... mostly we won ... lol ..

i think MA has 3 or 4 zones.. big city name might help us

ken

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