[sarajane]

I forgot mine last sat night.  Woke up to see frost all over the car and my stomach churned as I went to the greenhouse.  Couldn't believe it  -  all ok including the 4 aubergines.

Since then all toms, aubs, chillis have a plastic 'roof' on them and triple cover with fleece.

8.30 every night, OH says, have you put the greenhouse to bed and out I rush

[Mrs Bee]

I cant get the blighters to even germinate!
Brand new seeds (F1 Moneymaker) new compost etc. Flowerpot in a plastic bag. The packet says sow at 25 deg C which is exactly the temperature of my airing cupboard. I know they can take 3 weeks to germinate. They have been in there 5 weeks now.

Question. Do they need light to germinate? I have searched everywhere but I am now wondering that because the seeds are surface sown, maybe they need light as well as heat??

No, they don't need light to germinate. They are similar to tomatoes in size and needs, as I understand. You could have a dodgy set of seeds or maybe your compost was at fault. We all know about the new composts quality because of the governments ruling about peat.

Or they maybe too warm in the airing cupboard. I did mine in my windowsill propagator.
Hope you do get some success with them