FROST AND NEW PLANTS

Unionworkeruk

Nurseries are still selling plants and grasses ready for planting for next summer.  I have some 2L and 9cm pots which arrived a couple of weeks ago and stored outside.  I am now ready to plant but local temperatures are going down to 0C on Thurday night (London) so should I go ahead and plant after Thursday or keep them under cover in a porch until the Spring. Average night temperatures are about 3C for the estimated future.

I also have a front garden which I was planning on planting in the next month as they are still on sale or should I wait until Spring to buy and plant ? 

I assumed if they are on sale from reputable nurseries like Crocus, Ballyrobert,Chatto,Austin and ready to deliver they are OK to plant out. Am I being naive or what ?     

pansyface

I’d say that a lot depends on how the plants have been grown - in polytunnels or outside? And are the plants that you have fully hardy in the first place?

If you can keep them frost free and not over-watered but not dried out either, I would wait until the warmer weather arrives before planting them out.

Nurseries grow plants and want to sell them. If there are people who will buy them....

AnniD

The ones in smaller pots l would be inclined to keep somewhere sheltered and wait until Spring. 
What are the plants that you've bought and are planning to buy ?
It's also the case that the garden may have it's own micro climate, especially in the London area. 

Unionworkeruk

Bought  - Black Mundo Niger 9cm

Eupatorium maculatum 'Riesenschirm' 9cm

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Taurus'  9cm

Briza media 9cm
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' 1L
Primula florindae 1L
Carex petriei 1L
Molinia c. caerulea 'Moorhexe' 9cm
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' Grass 2L

Its a small garden backed by trees

Dovefromabove

Grasses often resent being planted into cold ground. I’d keep them somewhere sheltered until May when the soil begins to warm up. 

AnniD

The only one l would risk is the aquilegia, l'm not sure about the primula. It depends on the soil, if it's well drained then fine. It's been comparatively mild up until now and you're in the London area which always tends to be milder than other parts of the South East.
When it comes to it, you're the best one to make the final call as you know your garden better than anyone. 
I agree about the grasses, l would leave until Spring 

Nanny Beach

I too bought grasses, as being as most like it hot and dry, they are still in their pots, the 9cm pots, I would shelter and grow on, harden off and plant out next spring