[vineweevil1]

I started early with my tom seeds (although that was what the packet said). and I now have some of the that are about 14" tall with flowers.   I was wondering what the best way and when to harden them off for greenhouse growing?

[Kristen]

If I've understood correctly that you have them somewhere "warmer" than the greenhouse currently - a heated conservatory or somesuch perhaps?

I would put them in the greenhouse for the day, and bring them back in at night, for 4 or 5 days. Then I would leave them in the greenhouse provided the night minimum temperature will be above 10C - bring back in if colder than that.

(If its a grow-house thingie - frame with polythene covering - it will fall to the same temperature as outside ruing the night; whereas a glass house should keep about 5C warmer than the outside)

[vineweevil1]

Thanks, they are on a windowsill at the mo.  The greenhouse is unheated so is dropping to abour <5 degrees at the moment so I guess I should keep them indoors for a while and start to harden them off a bit later in the year when I know it will be a bit warmer in ghouse overnight.

It will drive me nuts to keep taking them in an out for longer than a week!

[Kristen]

"The greenhouse is unheated so is dropping to abour <5 degrees"

Are you far North then? (Putting an approximate location in your Profile would help )

I don't think we have had many nights where the outside air temperature has fallen that low, let alone in the greenhouse ... worth getting a Max/Min thermometer so you can check.

They will survive below 10C, but I think it checks them ... so if you get desperate I would think that a minimum of 5C would be fine.

[DD.]

It's only 10 days since the temp fell to 0.2 C here. We are forecast 4 or 5 C over the weekend at night.

[vineweevil1]

I live in the midlands, and I do have a (slightly broken by my toddler) min / max thermometer.  I am sure it has only been about 4/5 day since it fell below 5 degrees.

I am not absolutely desperate to turf them out yet, especially if it might affect their performance, I was really trying to find out the how as well as the when.

[Kristen]

You can use Wunderground.com to review historical data at Personal Weather Stations in your area, and from that work out when the last frost has been in recent years, and when the temeprature will, on average, stay above 5C (or whatever).

You;ll still need to watch the forecast, but it helps pick a date that has the minimum chance of having to bring all the plants back in every night!

I've written a step-by-step on My Blog if it helps

There ... now you can all tell me what Nerd I am!

[sunshineband]

I live in the midlands, and I do have a (slightly broken by my toddler) min / max thermometer.  I am sure it has only been about 4/5 day since it fell below 5 degrees.

I am not absolutely desperate to turf them out yet, especially if it might affect their performance, I was really trying to find out the how as well as the when.

Crikey you're in a cold spot mate!