If they were mine I would pot on. It's not just the cold, they have to survive slugs and snails in mild spells and you can can more easily keep a watchful eye on a number of pots all together and protect if necessary, than if they are planted out. They should make bigger plants for planting out in spring.
Daffy6 : Depends a bit what they are and where you are! I tend to err on the side of caution as it can get very cold where I live and anything that isn't bone hardy might not make it, but lots of things will be fine unless we get that horrendous winter 'they' are promising us! I usually put things under the shelter of a tree or shrub that will keep off some of the frost and snow if it comes.
My soil is very heavy in places and very young plants sulk and rot away in the cold wet soil. So I don't do very much planting in those areas after September other than trees and shrubs. Most of my stuff gets potted on and the pots sunk into a sheltered nursery bed (self-watering by capillary action). Usually nice well developed roots by April / May.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I've lost too many new treasures planted out in autumn when the soil is supposed to be warm enough for them to develop their roots but they then get blasted by long, cold, wet winters so now I pot on and keep in a cold but insulated greenhouse or the shed depending on whether they need light or not over winter.
Most herbaceous perennials disappear underground for winter so don't need light but they will appreciate being potted on to let their roots grow a bit over winter. They'll then get a head start in spring and are easier to protect against slugs and snails while those all important juicy new shoots emerge.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Yes,thank you all for info, I will be potting on all my new very young plants that will be arriving very soon,and keep them in my greenhouse,I live down south so they should be fine...
Daffy - if the plants you're buying are fully hardy perennials they should be fine outside in a sheltered spot. The main issue with planting them in soil now is that an immature root system will be susceptible to rot in cold, wet ground and weak new leaf growth will be easy prey for slugs & snails.
It's only really necessary to give perennials protection from the cold if they are slightly tender (penstemons, some salvias etc)
If you do decide to keep them in the greenhouse make sure you keep it well ventilated and be careful not to overwater.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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If they were mine I would pot on. It's not just the cold, they have to survive slugs and snails in mild spells and you can can more easily keep a watchful eye on a number of pots all together and protect if necessary, than if they are planted out. They should make bigger plants for planting out in spring.
Daffy6 : Depends a bit what they are and where you are! I tend to err on the side of caution as it can get very cold where I live and anything that isn't bone hardy might not make it, but lots of things will be fine unless we get that horrendous winter 'they' are promising us! I usually put things under the shelter of a tree or shrub that will keep off some of the frost and snow if it comes.
I put mine in a cold frame that OH gave me, wasn't expensive. It's on the kitchen terrace by the wall of the house.
My soil is very heavy in places and very young plants sulk and rot away in the cold wet soil. So I don't do very much planting in those areas after September other than trees and shrubs. Most of my stuff gets potted on and the pots sunk into a sheltered nursery bed (self-watering by capillary action). Usually nice well developed roots by April / May.
I've lost too many new treasures planted out in autumn when the soil is supposed to be warm enough for them to develop their roots but they then get blasted by long, cold, wet winters so now I pot on and keep in a cold but insulated greenhouse or the shed depending on whether they need light or not over winter.
Most herbaceous perennials disappear underground for winter so don't need light but they will appreciate being potted on to let their roots grow a bit over winter. They'll then get a head start in spring and are easier to protect against slugs and snails while those all important juicy new shoots emerge.
Thank you all very much, advice taken and I will get them potted up ASAP.
I have a small wooden grow house so will keep them in there and make sure I remember to keep it well ventilated.
Daffy - if the plants you're buying are fully hardy perennials they should be fine outside in a sheltered spot. The main issue with planting them in soil now is that an immature root system will be susceptible to rot in cold, wet ground and weak new leaf growth will be easy prey for slugs & snails.
It's only really necessary to give perennials protection from the cold if they are slightly tender (penstemons, some salvias etc)
If you do decide to keep them in the greenhouse make sure you keep it well ventilated and be careful not to overwater.
Topbird beat me to it.
If they're totally hardy , they'll be fine. Look at the thousands of plants sitting on garden centre benches all winter.
A sheltered spot is fine, but don't forget to water them. Easy to forget over the winter, but never let the soil dry out completely.