How cold can it be outside for seedlings?

by Paul Groves
(Morristown,N.J., U.S.A.)

How cold can it be for my pea & pepper seedlings to be ok outside?


ANSWER:


Hi Paul,

Pea seedlings will be fine during cold and frosty weather. They are a cool-season vegetable, and prefer cooler weather. They are most sensitive to being in soil that is too wet, so be sure they have a well-drained area in which to grow.

Peppers, on the other hand, are a tropical or warm-season vegetable. Even a slight frost can damage or kill pepper seedlings.

You will need to keep your pepper seedlings indoors, or in a sheltered area where you can protect them from freezing until all danger of frost is past.

Best wishes for a successful garden,
Charlotte