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Lowest tolerated temperature for outdoor tomatoes

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  • Lowest tolerated temperature for outdoor tomatoes

    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?
    Cheers

    T-lady

  • #2
    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.

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    • #3
      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?
      Cheers

      T-lady

      Comment


      • #4
        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...
        Last edited by Madasafish; 16-05-2008, 09:25 AM.

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        • #5
          Not worth the risk in my mind...how would you feel if you lost them and had to start over again???
          "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

          Location....Normandy France

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          • #6
            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?

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            • #7
              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!
              Cheers

              T-lady

              Comment


              • #8
                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
                http://norm-foodforthought.blogspot.com/

                If it ain't broke, don't fix it and if you ain't going to eat it, don't kill it

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                • #9
                  Just a thought...is there anything else you are growing which could be left outside under fleece???
                  "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                  Location....Normandy France

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                  • #10
                    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.
                    Cheers

                    T-lady

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      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.
                      Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                      www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        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
                        Last edited by T-lady; 16-05-2008, 12:13 PM.
                        Cheers

                        T-lady

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                        • #13
                          No idea about the varieties...but I think you'll be needing another greenhouse for next year!!!!
                          "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                          Location....Normandy France

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                          • #14
                            I know, it's all got a bit out of hand! Next year I WILL be more restrained (no chance!)
                            Cheers

                            T-lady

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                            • #15
                              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.

                              Comment

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