Topic: Safe to plant out now?

[Lucho]

This is my first year as the proud owner of a polytunnel. As it's unheated, is it now safe to plant my tomatoes, etc. inside? It's like a sauna in the day but the temperature does drop inside at night so I was a bit concerned I might lose plants to a cold snap. Advice gratefully accepted!

[northener]

You never no when a frost is due. It might be wise to put them out and have an heater as backup, i know last year i run out of parafin so lit a few candles for 1 night.

[kt.]

All my tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers plants are in my unheated greenhouse and have been for a few weeks, admittedly with parafin heater backup on a few nights.  I have not used the heater for about 10 days now and probably won't anymore till next winter. 

[manicscousers]

all our toms and peppers are in the poly, we have no heating, if we get a bit of frost, I'll shut the front, plastic door instead of leaving the mesh one on  ;D

[shirlton]

All of mine have been in an unheated GH since they were an inch high. I don't even use any back up heating . Just throw some fleece over if its very cold

[saddad]

Same here Shirlton...  :)

[Lucho]

Thanks everyone. Seems like the general consensus is that things should be ok, but be prepared to get ready with some extra protection if things get unseasonably cold. I suppose for a novice with polytunnels it's a case of me getting used to the new growing environment available to me now.

[northener]

It varys from year to year. This time 2 years ago we had a frost and it zapped all my cucs so i think its made me a bit cautious.

[GodfreyRob]

I'd get hold of some fleece and/or bubblewrap just in case.

I think bubblewrap has greater insulation value and also lasts longer (my fleece seems to fall apart within a season).

[Tee Gee]

my fleece seems to fall apart within a season).

Are you aware that there are basically two types of fleece? i.e. spun & woven.

I find that with spun (the cheaper version) you get what you pay for wheras the dearer woven variety can be used on numerous occasions, and can even be washed in a washing machine.