Questions about covering winter veggies

[GloriaG]

I am using raised beds with plastic covered hoop houses to grow my winter vegetable garden.  The plastic is 6-mil and I've sewn-in zippers for easy access.

Right now I have - peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, swiss chard, celery, spinach and a few other greens. I also have some beautiful lush tomato plants with lots of slowly ripening tomatoes. (Picked the last of the eggplant and peppers yesterday.)

Sunday night it got very cold and I carefully covered everything, but I'm sure I didn't open fast enough Monday morning and burned some of the tomato leaves.  I also lost one broccoli plant that got WAY too hot.

My question is - Is there a "best temperature" to open the covers?  I have thermometers in some of the beds so I can tell the inside temp.

Thanks for your help.
Gloria

[Brian Gallimore]

I have no experience with this, but it looks like the automatic greenhouse vents operate in the 60 to 75 deg F range.

[GloriaG]

Thanks Brian,

I will keep my eye on the inside temperatures and make sure to vent when they reach 60 to 70 deg F.

BTW - How do I post a picture?

[Brian Gallimore]

How do I post a picture?

see if this helps:  http://northtexasvegetablegardeners.com/forum/index.php?topic=408.0

[GloriaG]

Thanks Brian,

I just thought you might like to see the boxes with their covers.
The small "Conestoga" type have carrots, peas, onions, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower.
The tall square one is my tomato cover.
Thanks for all your help,
Gloria

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[Brian Gallimore]

those look great!  thanks for sharing the pictures

you are making great use out of the space too

[GloriaG]

I have to say I'm excited!
It takes some work to cover/uncover plants daily, but the rewards are well worth it. Thanks for all your help.
Gloria

[cowgirl8]

I put some of my container tomatoes in the greenhouse..they've pooped out now though. But all the other veggies you mentioned can take freezing weather once they are established beyond sprouts.