I would suggest them not being put into buckets for several weeks if it could be avoided. They would benefit from having access to air around them. Could you maybe spread they out in shallow layers in boxes, like 'cardboard flats' or plastic nursery trays, and set them around without stacking them.

Might your soil there be frozen in several weeks? I know it varies from year to year though, and maybe you have a means of protecting the soil from freezing on you...

Sue...chemocurl

Old panty hose hung in the basement works well. Al

Thank You for your replies.
Believe we got them taken care of.

Murrell