Is it absolutely necessary to protect caulis from frost?

[SlugLobber]

I don't really have cauli experience, but on impulse, I bought some seedlings a while ago and put them in a clear bed. The bumpf with them did not mention protection from frost.

I have come across a couple of advice snippets which mention frost protection and my RHS book says nowt about whether protection is dependent on variety. Soooo, should I protect them whatever? I know about the collars for pests, but unsure as to whether I should err on side of caution or harden the beggars off and make 'em well 'ard, like!

If I use fleece, will I still need to water them, or does rain water penetrate fleece?

[SarzWix]

Fleece does allow water through, and some air-flow. Do you know what variety yours are? I would guess that if they were being sold as seedlings at that time of year, that they are more likely to be a winter hardy variety.

[SlugLobber]

Ooh I knew somebody would ask what variety and I can't remember. I did 'plant' the loop that came with the seed tray, so I can look later. They were definitely sown as an 'Autumn Planting' cauli, so hopefully they ARE winter hardy and I don't need to cover yet more of my garden in fleece! It's starting to look like Kent, lol!