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Newville, PA

I have a small 6x8 greenhouse that I have some seeds started in. I have a heater in there to help keep it warm since my temps just recently went above 40 degrees during the day. The problem is last night the heater some how tipped over and shut off. Last night the temps dropped down to about 8 degrees. Since I just recently planted the seeds and nothing seems to be germinated yet, are the seeds still ok? I am hoping that I do not have to restart because all my seeds froze to death!!

3/7/2015 7:55:03 PM

Karns City PA

If your practicing I would start them in the house once they break soil you can put them out in greenhouse on nice sunny days ....if you are starting for the season I wouldn't start until around mid April ...if I had to guess I'd say they are probably going to have a hard time germinating now if at all.

3/7/2015 7:59:05 PM

Little Suamico WI, usa

A set of Christmas lights work well in a cooler

3/7/2015 9:20:32 PM

Bethlehem CT

I think a couple of factors will determine if they germinate:
1. How recently they were planted, the closer they are to germinating the more chance that they will have freeze damage.
2. What kind of plants are they? If they are pumpkins, tomatoes, or peppers it is likely that they are shot, because they are warm loving plants that don't tolerate frost. If you are starting lettuce, cabbage, broccolli, my guess is that they will still germinate.

I agree with the above advice, it is easier to start them inside and control the environment indoors. Once they germinate and get some size you can harden them off and get them out in the greenhouse. Once the weather warms up a little at the end of the month or in April it is much easier to germninate things in the greenhouse.

3/8/2015 10:02:10 AM

Bethlehem CT

I used to have a little outdoor greenhouse like the one you mentioned. I had better success installing heating cables just under the surface of the soil. Then on really cold nights I would throw a plastic sheet over the young seedlings to trap in even more heat.

3/8/2015 10:21:55 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Christmas lights in a cooler... never heard that one before. I might give it a practice try this week since my heat mat is getting old.

To the original post, like suggested I'd germinate inside.

3/8/2015 10:33:06 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Another one that the newer growers may not have heard about....several years ago, there were a lot of posts about using a baby wipe warmer. I wonder if anyone continued to use them.

3/8/2015 11:34:30 AM

Muddy Waters

Why are you starting outside?

3/8/2015 11:48:42 AM

Muddy Waters

Really a baby wipe warmer?? Such a thing really exists?? Are we raising he King of England?lol
When I was a kid we got wiped with a cold rag and liked it.lol Of coarse mom had to wash the diapers out & reuse them.LOL

We had it tough, by the time I was 1 Mom made me wash my own diapers.Quick way to potty train them.She always said.I think were spoiling a generation here.lol

3/8/2015 11:54:12 AM

Newville, PA

I had some tomatoes, peppers, and a mix of flowers planted. I did bring them inside the morning I saw the heater shut off. All the seeds were just recently planted so hoping that they didn't start the germination process. I will find out in a couple days whether or not I need to restart. Thanks for all the input!!

3/8/2015 5:32:56 PM