Wilko's blow frost protection

[stavroslinni]

Hi all, not sure if this should be posted in this part so apologies if its the wrong place.
I recently brought a 4 tier blow away from wilkos for a bargain price, would it protect my seedlings from getting the frost and die'ing or is it only really good for use in the summer months ??

[Potstubsdustbins]

Depends on the seedlings and the depth of frost. Delicate seedling like toms cucs etc I would say no unless you have got some form of heat in there.

Colin

[Florence Fennel]

I start putting plants into blowaways in April. Please make sure you have a heavy weight in the bottom and try to fasten it to a wall or fence to prevent it living up to its nickname.

[Chef_uk]

I was looking at these the other day in there. seems to be of the same ones in Asda living. If I was to get one I would be putting it inside the greenhouse until this time next month if I wasn't insulating it at all. My uninsulated greenhouse is sitting at only 2c above the coldest temps through the night right now.

[Kristen]

I agree with Chef ... I doubt it will provide any temperature gain over outdoors during the night - you might get a 1C rise, but that will be about it. It will protect them from any wind, and it will be warmer during the day (which will stimulate growth)

You could put them out during the day once the blow-away has got up to 10C, and bring in for the night - apart from the Faff they don't need any light at night, of course, so kitchen table or utility room will do (best not to put them anywhere too warm if they are getting use to more "moderate" temperatures during the day)

If you seedlings are Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Melons, Peppers, Aubergines (i.e. Greenhouse plants) then the seedlings need 10C minimum. Try not to let the temperature go over 25C (i.e. unzip / roll-up the door before it gets to that).

If they are Brassicas (Cabbage / Sprouts / Cauli), Beetroot, Leeks, Onions (i.e. hardy plants) then they will be much happier outside than in. But you ought to harden them off by putting them out during the day, and in at night, for a week so they acclimatise. You may want to put them in the blowaway so they aren't stressed by wind etc., but make sure the zip-up is up during the day so they don't cook - they won't enjoy the heat (unlike Tomatoes et al)