Should I bring my Cosmos seedlings in?

shortcrust

I've got a load of cosmos seedlings out in a cold frame in the garden (no room left on windowsills). Should I bring them in overnight for the next few chilly nights? It's not forecast to go below freezing here, but not far off.

Perhaps I've planted too early. Got a bit carried away when we had the nice weather!:)

Farway

Could you maybe cover cold frame with something, like sacking, old carpet, or maybe layer of fleece inside frame but over seedlings?

shortcrust

Farway wrote: »

Could you maybe cover cold frame with something, like sacking, old carpet, or maybe layer of fleece inside frame but over seedlings?

Oo that’s a thought. I’ve got some fleece so will give that a try.

I must remember to do things later next year. I thought I’d learned my lesson last year with shelves full of leggy seedlings.

malebolge

I've got 4 trays of cosmos in my conservatory. They sprouted very quickly and I've been worried about them getting too leggy so was going to put them in a cold frame until I saw the night time temps. What I was thinking of doing is lining the cold frame with bubble wrap. I've loads I've collected and have used this method before. Going to dig out some fleece too as a failsafe, having read it here. I'm just like you - don't want to plant too late, then am struggling to keep the seedlings from getting leggy. Managed last year, even with the Beast from the East so fingers crossed for this year

shortcrust

malebolge wrote: »

I've got 4 trays of cosmos in my conservatory. They sprouted very quickly and I've been worried about them getting too leggy so was going to put them in a cold frame until I saw the night time temps. What I was thinking of doing is lining the cold frame with bubble wrap. I've loads I've collected and have used this method before. Going to dig out some fleece too as a failsafe, having read it here. I'm just like you - don't want to plant too late, then am struggling to keep the seedlings from getting leggy. Managed last year, even with the Beast from the East so fingers crossed for this year

Thanks for the reply.:) Didn’t see this until just now. I got scared and brought mine in last night but am going with the fleece tonight as it’s a bit milder.

I read something about putting 'hot water bottles' – empty pop bottles filled with hot water - in the cold frame so might give that a try on the really cold nights that are forecast over the coming week or so.

I’m probably too much of a worrier! This is only my third year with my own garden and I'm realising things are more robust than I imagine.