Plant storage?

Madeline
by Madeline

I live on Long Island in NY & we had some beautiful weather about 10 days ago & everyone, like me rushed out & bought my annuals & tomato plants. I was so excited ! BOOM ! Temps dropped & now it's like 45-55 @ night. To cold I feel to plant them. So I have them in the garage on the workbench, up off the ground. I did put a sheet over them but I think the weight of it is to much & it broke some of them. Do I really need to cover them or are they ok just being in the garage? I'm going to put them on my deck today for some light & also water them. Any other hints for me or ideas? Thanks everyone & HAPPY GARDENING, EVENTUALLY..........Madeline............BE SAFE


  11 answers
  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 07, 2020

    They do not need to be covered in the garage. They only need to be covered if you leave them outside or have planted them.

  • Janice Janice on May 07, 2020

    No need to cover them if you've got them in your garage but depending on the temps that may not save the plants. Any little broken pieces will likely fill back in after they are planted in the ground and start growing well. JusJust be sure to keep them well watered while you wait to plant them. If cold temps continue after planting, that's when to cover them at night while they get a good start in the ground. Good luck! We're all anxious for spirng & COLOR!

  • Gk Gk on May 07, 2020

    You don't need to cover them in the garage. Once you move them outside and plant them you can go ahead and put the tomato cages around them right away. I find that even though the plants are not yet big enough for the tomato cages it is a good way to cover the tomatoes overnight if the temps fall. Your covering will be over the cages rather than on the plants, and you can use clothespins to hold the coverings from blowing around in the wind.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on May 07, 2020

    I agree with those temps as long as they're in your garage they'll be ok :)

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on May 07, 2020

    The closed garage will provide all the protection they need. Give them sunlight during the day hours. Here in Maryland I have them outside but protect at night.

  • Em Em on May 07, 2020

    The garage should be fine unless the door is open all of the time! You can indeed pop them outside for a short time each day to acclimate them back to the weather if the temp goes up. Plant your tomatoes deep so they grow sturdy. Once you have them in the ground should you get a weird bought of cold weather again you can cover them with coffee cans, 2 liter bottles with the neck cut off or prop 4 sticks around several of them to secure a sheet ABOVE them with wire ties until the weather warms up.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on May 07, 2020

    I would add, to try and locate them near light and leave them uncovered. Near a window? Near the garage door to make them easier to move outside? Window sills are great for this. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Libbie B Libbie B on May 07, 2020

    I am in Michigan and the same thing is happening (as it does almost EVERY Spring,lol). I bring mine into the garage and leave them uncovered. They have been fine.

  • Maura White Maura White on May 07, 2020

    As long as it is still above freezing at night, you don't need to cover them. Especially since they are also in the garage as well.


  • They'll be ok in the garage, if they were outside I'd cover them. I try to wait till Mother's Day to buy my annuals, but I'm in St. Louis.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on May 10, 2020

    No you don’t need to cover them as long as the frost doesn’t touch them