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In a 6b zone I have to grow some annual and perennial flowers by the end of May, meaning that they must be flowering by then. I have tried to make a rehearsal of some sorts, but we had freezing temperatures until the first days of May 2016, so last year I have transplanted them a little late (they were grown indoors from seed). The result was that they came in flower in mid-July.

Some of the species are Tropaeolum majus (or minus), Centaurea cyanus, Lavatera trimestris and Alcea rosea and I was wondering how to protect them in case I want to plant them earlier, let's say in March.

My plan is to make raised beds and any advice on how to protect them is most welcome. I also have to mention that the land is on a north-faced hill, but the slope is barely noticeable in the area I will make the raised beds.

Alina
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I don't know about flowers, but for vegetables, I like to use humidity domes. I just cut off the bottom of a milk jug, throw the cap away and put it over my newly transplanted plants, if it still frosts. This seems to work for fairly cold temperatures, in my experience (at least down to 23° F. at the side of our house, if not colder, which is to say -5° C.) There are many kinds of humidity domes.

You might try row covers, floating row covers, certain protective garden fabrics/cloths, a hoophouse, a greenhouse and such, to protect plants from frost. However, they may each have different ratings for temperature.

Brōtsyorfuzthrāx
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