I live in 5b. I have to say that if I have your temperature, I would have already transplanted my tomatoes to the ground. If your tomato plants have been hardening off for a while, there is no problem at all to leave them outside at 48F. I had my plants outside when temperature occasionally dropped to 40F at night last year. They were doing OK.

We planted our tomatoes and green peppers in the ground about a month ago. It got down to 43 degrees one night. I can't see where it affected them. They aren't growing much because we have had below normal temperatures. But, the tomatoes are starting to have fruits and they are surviving.

Thanks all! And yes; I believe they are hardened off. They have spent everyday, and a few nights outside.

I've had a few of the earthboxes ready to go for awhile; some with the white shower cap, some with the black. Black seems much hotter today.

Hmm.

Black seems better this week, but I know I'll be sorry by May.

I would water them well and put them somewhere with mostly shade, to be sure. As far as the temperatures ( 48 to 70F) I think it is pretty safe. I have planted most of mine starting 2 weeks ago and we have been having temps in 43 to 85F range. No problem as long as the plants have been hardened off.

Sey

nanelle_gw: "Black seems better this week, but I know I'll be sorry by May"

Maybe use the white but put some cheap black garbage bag on top and fasten with a bungee cord or tape? Then you can just remove it/cut it away later.