Lowest tolerated temperature for outdoor tomatoes

[T-lady]

Hi folks

Dare I plant out my outdoor tomatoes this weekend? I'm way out of space, some of the toms are over 2 foot tall and flowering like mad. However, my 5 day forecast has Tuesday down to 3 degrees.

Can I risk it / would they survive?

[Cutecumber]

That is very cold for tomatoes.

Normally, the books will tell you ten degrees but a dip below this for a limited time shouldn't be a big problem. Once you get below five degrees and into frost territory it's a lot riskier.

Do you have something with which you can protect them or can you construct a temporary shelter?

If not, I would err on the side of caution.

[T-lady]

I've got shed-loads of envirofleece and maybe some big plastic crates / a couple of enpty bins etc. Would that just keep the cold off enough do you think?

[Madasafish]

I found my tomatoes survived in my greenhouse with an in house temperature of 3C - but with a heater under the bench which the tomatoes sat on.

Outside I would wrap up well with fleece.

I have no intention of planting tomatoes/melons/ dahlias etc outside till late May.. We have a similar 3C forecast for 2 nights. As we are exposed, we could see a faint ground frost...

[Nicos]

Not worth the risk in my mind...how would you feel if you lost them and had to start over again???

[garygc2008]

When did you sow your toms? mine are not even 3 inches......... I'm a bit of a novice, did i sow them too late?

[T-lady]

Good point Nicos, I'd be gutted if I lost them but things are started to bulge at the seams in the greenhouse!

Garygc2008 - I sowed my tomatoes throughout February but I could only really do that because I have heated propagators and a heated bench to grow them on even when the unheated greenhouse was below zero.

Don't worry, lots of people don't sow until April. That's how they avoid the pickle I'm in - plants too far advanced for the conditions!

[Norm]

If you're growing Subarctic Plenty, chuck 'em outside. They'll grow and produce fruit which will ripen in temps of only 3 degrees c! The CIA does have it's uses

[Nicos]

Just a thought...is there anything else you are growing which could be left outside under fleece???

[T-lady]

Thanks Norm, I've got a Sub Arctic so that'll go out on Saturday

nicos, the green house is stuffed with peppers, chillis, all sorts of squashes, toms and aubergines. I reckon the tomatoes are about the most hardy, although I not sure about some of the squashes. Perhaps I'll just have to shut my eyes and pretend that we're not all shoe-horned in together and try to leave it for another week.

Unless, anyone can tell me that the squash will be ok under fleece. They are second largest culprite for taking up tonnes of space.

[Flummery]

Had to put my outdoor toms out this week as we're off for 3 days next week and there's far too much to ask my sister to water as it is! Only put out the hardy stuff - sub-arctic, Black Krim, Tiger tom. Fingers crossed. They've been outside 24 hours a day for the last fortnight on my patio anyway. Might as well be in the corner of my sheltered plot with their feet under the table.

[T-lady]

Thanks Flummery, I'm growing Black Krim too so that's two plants I can definitely put out.

Could anyone look at the list of toms I'm growing and let me know if any other ones are hardy?
(PS: I know there's too many, that's why I'm struggling so much!)

Alaskan Fancy
Black Cherry
Black Krim
Burpee Longkeeper (Xmas!)
Costoluto Fiorentino
Cyril's Choice
Eva Purple Ball
Ferline
Galina
Gardener's Delight
Gartenperle (basket)
Glacier
Golden Cherry
Jersey Devil
Latah - very early red
Legend
Moneymaker
Old Ivory Egg
Orange Banana
Pomodoro San Marzano Lungo
Principle Borgese
Rainbow Mixed
Red Cherry
Rio Granda
Roma
Silvery Fir Tree
Slankards
Stupice
Sub-Arctic Plenty
Supa Roma
Tibet Appel
Tigerella

[Nicos]

No idea about the varieties...but I think you'll be needing another greenhouse for next year!!!!

[T-lady]

I know, it's all got a bit out of hand! Next year I WILL be more restrained (no chance!)

[Cutecumber]

Have you hardened them off yet? I wouldn't advise taking them straight out of the greenhouse and planting them, that's a bit drastic if it's going to be really cold.