Minimum Temp

[CADS]

Hi

My veg plants are getting to big for my kitchen table. I need to put them outside in the morning so that we can have breakfast without one of them landing on the floor.

What is the minimum temp that tomato, courgette, chilli, pepper and runner beans can tolerate. I have been keeping them indoors until the temperature reaches 10C, but some days this isn't until lunch time.

It's a miracle that my kids haven't pulled any of them off the table yet but now they are within my 18mnth olds reach .

Thanks

[Pottypotter]

I have mine in my greenhouse which goes down to about 3 degrees at night and they seem ok.

[Pottypotter]

I know you are supposed to harden them of before putting out from the green house but I can't help but wonder why, when the temperature goes much lower than in the daytime. What’s the point in putting them out when its say 15 degrees when they get colder at night?

[chickenjane]

I think it's to do with getting used to the stresses of real life especially wind/air movement & the extra transpiration that demands of their little leaves etc.

[Alice]

Mine have been in the greenhouse with temps down to 5 degrees and they all seem fine - but outside with the wind blowing on them may not be the same thing.
Why not organise a hardening off station - I have. Choose a well sheltered area for your plants, stick in some canes around them and make a tent out of fleece fastened to the canes with clothes pegs. You can put the fleece on at night, or if the weather is cold and windy during the day , leave it on.
Anyway, I'm putting my faith in the method - and my courgettes have got little fruits on.

[Flummery]

Mine too have been out of the house for at lest a couple of weeks. They are outdoors all day and in the greenhouse at night. They need to be protected but toughened up at the same time - a bit like children!

[rustylady]

Whereabouts do you live CADS? Our temperatures have been way above yours. Several nights recently I've had minimum temperatures of 9 or 10.

[Egluntine]

Bloomin 'eck...it was only 9 degrees in Sheffield during the day yesterday....and I wondered how these poor plants were supposed to cope with such extremes....the day before it had been 17 degrees. Very sunny, but a cool wind.