Moving to the cold frame

[rpt]

My last frost date is predicted to be mid May according to Gardening and weather - first and last frost dates in the UK, Australia and USA. Is it OK to start moving my French and runner beans to the cold frame now? What about courgettes and squashes? They'd get far more light there than my kitchen windowsill but I obviously don't want to kill them with the cold. I can leave the lid down and add some fleece if frost is predicted.

This is currently a bit hypothetical as I have ordered the cold frame but it hasn't come yet!

[rustylady]

When your coldframe arrives you can put your plants in there during the day for a few days (bringing them back in at night unless the weather is superwarm. Whenever you change a plant's environment you need to do it gradually (hardening off).

[rpt]

I thought the point of a cold frame was that you can use it to harden off. So I want to know when it is safe to put the plants in the cold frame and not need to bring them back inside the house at night. If it's frosty will a closed frame give enough protection?

[rustylady]

Yes, it is for protection and hardening off, but if the plants have been inside a snug warm house they will sulk if left in the cold during the first few nights in the frame. If it's frosty I would put a blanket or something over your coldframe.

[rpt]

I think my question could have been better phrased as "Do I have to wait for the risk of frost to have gone before putting my plants in the cold frame?".

I think my plan will be to put plants in and leave the lid down but only if the weather forecast suggests there is no frost due for the week.

[Two_Sheds]

I want to know when it is safe to put the plants in the cold frame and not need to bring them back inside the house at night.

Ah, you need to know the temp inside the cold frame at night then

My tender veg are in my unheated gh, and the min temp is 8c