How cold can seedlings get?
grow-anything
14 years ago
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daylilyfanatic4
14 years agoengineeredgarden
14 years agoRelated Discussions
when can my seedlings go in the cold frame
Comments (4)It's been a couple of years since I've used my cold frame, but I remember putting my seedlings into mine as early as end March/early April. I would say now would be a good time to put them in your cold frame. I don't have a 'scientific' method, exactly, but I just put my trays in, and kept the lid ajar if it was a warmish day out; then closed the lid at night. I did this until the seedlings were hardened off, and there was no longer a risk of freezing temps; then I took them out of the cold frame, and put them in a sheltered spot (outside) until I could plant them out. Just remember to keep them watered....See MoreHow cold can these buds get?
Comments (23)It is easy when reading the catalogs to get caught up with the glowing descriptions of a certain fruit and want to chance it on hardiness, but I find it gives one a more relaxing winter to pick varieties a zone or two hardier than the zone in which one lives. Anything else should just be considered experimental or a bonus when it produces fruit, but don't get attached to it. Then one can sit inside and not fret on those -20ðF. nights like last night was here. It's easy to imagine when purchasing the nursery stock that you will do all sorts of elaborate protective care, but then things can come up in the fall that prevent you from getting around to it some years. I was going to shovel snow over my tenderer varieties of blueberries again this year (which worked wonderfully the previous winter), but it turned out I was out-of-state for several months in the late fall, and when I returned, the snow was already too deep to get to the ridgetop garden very easily, so they will have to tough it out on their own. At least the lower 18 inches are protected, so the bushes should survive, even if they bear no fruit on the upper branches. I once imagined I would cover my young Sugar Pearl and Westcot apricot trees with tarps and use Christmas lights in the spring, but fat chance there, too! Northwoodswis...See MoreHow cold is too cold for onion seedlings?
Comments (2)Depending on the variety they should be able to handle those temps. I am up here in Ontario Canada and last night my Redwing and Cortland seedlings were exposed to -6.5C (20F) in my unheated greenhouse. They are in cell packs and the grow medium just about froze solid and they survived and appear to be fine now. I don't know if this will adversely affect them later in their growth ie. bolting or thick necks, I guess I'll find out. We are having another very cold night tonight so I brought them inside, I don't want to push my luck. They are about 9 weeks out from seed in 100 cell packs, about 2 - 4 seedlings per cell. Hope this helps....See MoreHow cold can it get!
Comments (23)Last winter was colder (so far) then this winter. Don't get me wrong, we are in the teens at night and have snow on the ground just now, but for a drop in temperatures, last year was worse. Lost 40+% of my daylilies (in pots) to the zero degree temperatures.....But I did want to make a point. I keep my eye on WHERE this abnormally cold weather is going. Last year, when everyone across the country seemed to shiver, it cleared many of the marginal zone 8 daylily nurseries of their rust. I checked with one of my favorite more southern nurseries this past month and they've had temperatures in the teens as well. She didn't like it that cold, but boy it sure should eliminate most, if not all of the rust she might have accumulated by last fall. I've placed my order with her because of this cold weather pattern this year. So keep your eyes on the map if you are thinking you just might want to try a frilly lily from a more southern grower. BTW, the general thinking is that multiple days in a row of 18 degrees or lower kills all rust. So just freezing temperatures (32) would not do it........Maryl...See Moregrow-anything
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