Setting containers out
 

It looks like we are going to have a week above 40 F at night, thinking its time to start setting some plants out close to the house to harden off..... They have been setting under their grow light paradise, even the dried up pups are sending new leaves now. Anyones thoughts ??????

Re: Setting containers out
 

Do you have some sheets to cover them if you get a chilly night? I tarped plants in Jacksonsville including basil and all survived some 30 degree evenings. If the day high was going to be under 50, I left them covered. But these had never been inside under lights.

Re: Setting containers out
 

I think a lot of plants will be fine with that temp as long as its not for too long, but nanners I would be careful, some really don't like any chills especially after a long winter when there isn't a lot of vigor. Or are you like me who just drags them out for the day and back in at night? I'm not gunna be doing so much of that this year.

Re: Setting containers out
 

40 at night its all right.... Pardon the pun
Tree ferns have been out for a few days ......close to the house, happy as a mouse....nannas out Thurs am till Sun pm..we will see
In ...out In out inout inoutinout....

Re: Setting containers out
 

Yes indeed, I have already been taking the ones needy out in the morn and back in at night when i get home, problem is there are so many and some are 50lb pots, am still able but, surely not for too much longer.
Will definitely have to pare down soon, but not yet!!!!

Re: Setting containers out
 

WHAT.......WHa whaaaa .. whaaaaa whaaaa ....Never......
I here ya.....:)
I think I add at least five new containers a year to the fray.

Re: Setting containers out
 

No Nanners out yet. Just a few cannas to see how they will react to sun light....they didnt look happy by this eve...but I am sure they will snap out of it. And yes , I will be moving pots back in the garage if temps drop below 40. I think I will wait another week on the nanners.. Next monday its going to drop to 31 again .....and they are just too big to be dragging in and out.

Re: Setting containers out
 

:pics:

Re: Setting containers out
 

Well all I have is my phone.....I will try just have not had much luck posting pics

Re: Setting containers out
 

I use my phone also. An easy way to upload pics is get the photobucket app, and you can upload pics right from your phone's galley. Then you can you photobucket to edit the size of the pic etc, and then all you have to do is copy and paste the image link. Definately made my life easier.

Re: Setting containers out
 

I WILL give it a shot when I got more time....but now its time to save the chickens for 12 hours

Re: Setting containers out
 

I have pics of before, during, and after, but you have seen them all.....in different posts...
This is my version of setting the containers out.....Enjoy..

Before.....bringing them inside.
Fall


During.....storage in the basement.
Winter.


After.....bringing them outside.
Spring.



Now.... Almost......

Ferns....


Almost .....current photo of ferns these are cool tolerant.
Dicksonia.



Just a pic...small hot house.




Before ... final placement of plants .Early spring


After...final placement of plants. Early July.


Enjoy .....this is my enjoy.: )

Re: Setting containers out
 

ouch, you can't possibly take them in and out much, that's gotta be once and done!

Re: Setting containers out
 

Usually...3x
Sometimes when it is borderline 32-39F I will run the sprinklers/misters before dawn to stop the freeze/ frost. As long as there is no frost on the foliage when the sun comes up I am usaully
good.
That is my workaround for the labor of bringing them in and out.
Turning on the irrigation will increase the air temp a few degrees and stop damage....and sometimes I forget to plan:)
For me its a fine line... And sometimes I lose...oooops

And don't even let them blow over they will bend in a couple of days
This is my pic.

\cell \lastrow\row}

Re: Setting containers out
 

zone 6, stay in shape my friend!

Re: Setting containers out
 

Wow Mike this is epic! I somehow never realized this was a pic of your deck before. After lugging plants out all day, just to bring them all back in a few hours later, your pics make my efforts seem weak. This has motivated me to get up early and do it all over again.

Re: Setting containers out
 

Great pics Mike.

Re: Setting containers out
 

I am glad was able to share my before and after photos and happy that you guys liked them.
This just demonstrates that a lot can be accomplished with containers when one does not live in an ideal growing environment.
And I hope these photos lend inspiration to your green thumbs.
:woohoonaner:

Re: Setting containers out
 

awsome as always mike, thank you

Re: Setting containers out
 

This is always a tricky time of year for we northern banana growers.

I nearly took everything outside this week, until I looked at the long-term forcast.

It was 84F on Saturday and had been beautiful all week. Yesterday it started raining and last night we got 2 inches of snow.

Stupid Zone 5 "spring"...