When to plant out in a cold frame: courgettes, pumpkins and squash

[gardengnome]

Hi,

I have a number of courgettes, pumpkins and squashes, which I’ve grown indoors from seed and are doing pretty well, however, it looks like they’re getting a little bit big for their pots.
Also, my wife doesn’t want them in the kitchen any more (understandably).

If I re-pot them (assuming I can source some larger pots!), will they be okay in a cold frame sat on top of a raised bed?

I live in Berkshire and I think it’s been a while since we had a frost, although I know we could still have one.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom!
🙂

[Penellype]

The risk of frost is definitely not over yet. Forecasts are not very reliable at the moment, but there is a possibility of high pressure with clear, cold nights in the middle of next week, followed by a potentially vicious northerly cold snap around 10th. Temperatures below freezing are currently forecast as a possibility here for Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights, although it may not happen.

Do you have somewhere like a garage you could move the plants to from the cold frame temporarily if it looks like getting really cold?

[gardengnome]

Unfortunately not, but I might persuade my wife that we can bring them in for a few nights.

I suppose I could put them in the garden shed?!

[Penellype]

I don't know how warm garden sheds stay at night and whether or not they are any better than a cold frame. You could cover the frame with fleece or a blanket, which would keep more of the daytime heat in.

There is always a compromise between sowing early for an early crop and then having a problem with late frosts and sowing later, having the plants crop later, and risking damage at the other end from early frosts or disease, which tends to strike later in the year.

[gardengnome]

The courgettes and pumpkins have been indoors until now, but I’ve started putting them outside during the day.
The temperatures where I live are forecast to range from 19-27 deg C in the daytime over the next 9 days and not below 8 at night.
I plan to plant everything up by the weekend.
Hope I’m not being too impatient!

[annie8]

I planted mine out last weekend. Should be fine.

[ameno]

Yeah, they should be fine. Mine are outdoors on a sheltered patio full time now, hardening off, and will be planted out in my garden and at the allotment probably Monday.