Sorry to hear that, prairie. I've been watching the weather forecasts. Last night I moved all the plants from the sunroom into more stable areas. We have lows in the minus temps predicted. Some annuals that are hardened off can handle the cold, but others not at all. For instance, petunias and pansies might be okay if protected but others are too tender. When I belonged to the local horticultural group we would plant the petunias first. We would delay marigold for several weeks.

The ground here is too cold to plant anything yet, but when I do plant my tomatoes, I use big plastic jugs over them and leave them on until I'm sure it's safe to remove.

Sorry to hear of your plant loses after all the work you've put into those beauties! Last night it was only 3 C when I had last checked about 10:30 pm and it was so chilly I had brought everything tender into the house several hours prior. Last spring, on a warm late April's day, I had tucked my large flat of sturdy 4 inch tomato seedling in an out of the way spot to shelter them from the strong wind ... well, you know the saying, "out of sight, out of mind" ... the next morning when I had come around that side of the house and spied the blackened wilted plants, it had taken a few seconds to realize what I was looking at ... of course, I had said 'Oh, SCHIST to my forgetfulness and then closely inspected them in hopes the stems still might be viable and able to resprout, well no such luck ... though, fortunately I did have seeds remaining and it was early enough to still produce good size transplants before set out time. Yesterday, I had placed a note on the counter top reminding me of the cucumber seedlings placed out front of the house! It does not have to actually freeze for some types of tender seedlings to become shocked and wilted.

Thank you for the support north53 & Twors. Ironically I had been taking them in routinely, but not last night for sheer tiredness. I was sitting on the couch making the debate and checking weather. Those minutes would have been better just getting the work done.

Yes, the my Vista Bubblegum petunias seem fine. Calendula as well.

The cold got some of my geraniums too :(.

I will definitely be bringing in the plants tonight!

A good rule of thumb that I've been told, is that the forecast may be off by 6 degrees. So if they say a low of only plus 5 or plus 6, *especially* if it's clear...bring stuff in because it may hit zero! I've learned the hard way in the past too...having to replace most of my bedding plants (ouch!) etc. Sigh!

To follow up, you were absolutely right north53, although definitely set back, most are slowly growing leaves again! Phew! Thank you everyone for your support.

Weeper, I think I really need to get an outdoor thermometer!

Thanks for the update, prairie. I had been wondering how they did.