Too Keen?

[veggiemad]

Worked really hard to get the raised beds built in the garden over the weekend. Finally finished yesterday and planted my onion sets and garlic. Also planted out the peas, purple dwarf beans, courgettes and carrots which I sowed a while back in the greenhouse as I'm starting to run out of space. Question is, have I been too keen? I'm a bit worried with the amount of rain forecasted for tomorrow/Thursday. Will the plants be OK?

[Florence Fennel]

Sounds like you worked really hard, so well done. I would have sown the carrots direct rather than transplanting them and I think it's still a little early for courgettes (unless you can put some kind of cloche over them). Other things are hardy enough to survive at this time of year in my opinion.

[veggiemad]

Thanks Florence Fennel Definitely feeling it today as I'm aching all over!!

The courgette was quite established and originally had it in a container but have since read that it's more productive when planted in the ground. Also have to plant out my broccoli but not sure how big it needs to be before this can be done. Mine are currently around 5 cm high - could I plant it out and protect with an open ended water bottle?

[Bigmallly]

As Flo said, my only concern would be courgettes. Mine are estblished but will not be going out till June. You are further south so may be ok, just keep an eye on the forecasts.

[Florence Fennel]

I planted out my calabrese (brocc) yesterday but it was a good 13 cm tall ('twas the only thing the slugs didn't get because it was grown on top of some staging) and will be quite capable of weathering the elements. Not so sure about your small plants VM, although I guess they would be ok under bottle cloches protected from slugs and snails as well as the weather. Even though your courgette is well established, I would still give it some form of protection, up to you and I wish you well with it. I too am aching today, back, hips, shoulders, arms and my knees are killing me!

[hamesy]

Everything should be ok apart from the courgettes which you may want to keep your eye on.

I thought the seeds I sown a few weeks back would be no shows with the amount of rain we've had but they've germinated, so I wouldn't worry too much

[Two_Sheds]

planted out ... dwarf beans, courgettes

These are tender: frost will kill them and the cold at night will just stop them in their tracks. Did you harden them off, or take them straight from the gh into the open?

[taff]

dont forget you'll have to net your broccoli against cabbage whites, and it needs really firm ground, and it'll take up a half meter easily..keep those in mind for when you do transplant them.

[veggiemad]

dont forget you'll have to net your broccoli against cabbage whites, and it needs really firm ground, and it'll take up a half meter easily..keep those in mind for when you do transplant them.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

With regards to the broccoli - I sowed seeds in early march and 4 germinated which was great as it was my first attempt. I've since thinned them out and planted into a bigger pot however whilst they are growing I'm worried that they aren't progressing that much. They are 8-9 weeks old and all have 4 leaves which are getting bigger but the stalk seems very thin and flimsy. Not sure if this is normall or if I've done something wrong. I'm wondering if I should sow some more or if it's too late now.

[rustylady]

Where is your broccoli? It's hardy so doesn't need to be in a heated propagator or anything. Don't plant them in too big a pot.

[veggiemad]

Hi Rustylady - it's in my plastic greenhouse. Should I plant out do you think? New at all this so a bit confused with it all

[rustylady]

Hi Rustylady - it's in my plastic greenhouse. Should I plant out do you think? New at all this so a bit confused with it all

No, don't plant it out yet it's too small. However it really doesn't need to be in a greenhouse. Have you any outside windowsills or staging or something where you can stand it? All it will need is protection from slugs, snails and birds.

[veggiemad]

Yes I have some areas in the garden which I can trasfer them too. Will try that and see how it goes, thanks so much for your help.

Do you think that by now it should have come on alot more? I'm worried that they are leggy and no good but because I'm new too all this I'm not too sure.

[rustylady]

No, they sound as if they're growing fine. Just remember that every time you disturb them by re-potting you are giving them a growth check. Leggy means tall and floppy, but yours don't sound like that.

[veggiemad]

Thanks rustylady - they are a bit tall but not flopping over. I'll try and take a photo tonight and post it on here.