Anyone planted out yet? and last frosts!

[darcyvuqua]

I have some big strong Runner Beans, Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, PSB and Cauliflowers that I'm to scared to plant out due to frosts I know there hardy but being my first year I really want a return on my hard work!

The weather gives a cold night time temp over the next week but the problem is I'm going away on Monday so don't want to come home to them being fried!

I need help I don't want to lose them either way!!

I will be cloche 'ing' them with thick netting but not sure if that will offer any protection?

Also how do you find out a true date of your last frost as on a website I found says that in my area there are no more frosts but surely with the weather this year that website must be generic!

[kentishgal]

I think most things you've mentioned will be ok outside now, except the runners. They are very tender and I dont think most people put them out til mid/end of May at earliest.

[darcyvuqua]

well that's what I thought but the guy who has the plot next door has his out since last week threw me slightly lol

[veggiechicken]

Have you hardened them off during the day, darcy?

[Alison]

Not only have I not planted those things out yet I haven't sown them yet either. Never do until about now so not late yet anyway. Will be sowing the brassicas in the next day or so and will probably delay runners for couple of weeks - they'll catch up. And yes, I wouldn't believe the frost forecasts either, they're based on a normal year and definitely not a guarantee - Mother Nature hasn't signed up to web sites

[darcyvuqua]

yes VC there outside during the days in the back garden been leaving them out as long as possible to get them in the natural environment

Alison the runners I never thought they would germinate and grow so fast that's why there the size they are I don't want to plant them out just to lose them just my plot neighbor threw me :0

[Shroomy]

You could plant half see how they get on if you lose them youve not lost all of them

[Normans Mum]

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. I've got everything in my greenhouse at the moment (it looks a bit like some tropical-esque Kew Gardens) and if I need to continue potting anything on rather than risk it outside, then so be it !

[binley100]

2 litre pop bottles over your runners with the lid off for air might help ......or leave them somewhere shady but sheltered

[mothhawk]

Scraped the frost off my car windows at 5am this morning......

[Likac66]

I would NOT put runners out yet. I haven't even planted mine yet! The others, depending on size, I would consider planting out if hardened off well and of a good size. Maybe throw a bit of fleece over on very cold nights.

[BarleySugar]

I was looking around the allotment plots where we have the disabled community garden set up for the council, It was very sad to see a very well constructed runner bean support, complete with totally dead runner bean plants at the bottom of each cane. They also had a tray of dead courgette/squash plants alongside. I only planted my squash last weekend, and put runners to soak today to sow tomorrow. If the brassicas have been hardened off they should be fine even with a touch of frost, but I agree with the others, too early for runners yet, even down south where I am.

[kathyd]

I've just planted some brassicas out after hardening off for a week or two, and they seem to doing OK despite the frosty nights. (Hope I haven't just jinxed things by saying that out loud!). I've also got a number of pots of brassica seedlings braving the elements because I suspect they may have picked up a nasty virus in the tunnel and I want to monitor them before planting in the beds. Again, so far so good with the frosts. Last year I remember putting plastic bottles over them to protect them from slugs after I'd planted them out, but you could also use them as mini cloches as someone else has suggested. I guess this would help conserve moisture in the soil too, just in case there's a heatwave while you're away . I've put collars on mine, and watered with very stinky garlic water to try to deter slugs! They've been in for a few days now, and not even a nibble yet... (fingers crossed). I'd definitely be taking precautions about slugs if you won't be there to guard against them!

[zazen999]

I have only sown broad beans thus far. My reckoning is that we are weeks behind where we should be so that includes sowing seeds. Runners and frenchies will be sown next week or two along with pretty much everything else I'd usually sow in April.

[Two_Sheds]

sad to see ... totally dead runner bean plants ...also had a tray of dead courgette/squash plants alongside.

That's a fast lesson in not planting tenders too early. Ouch.

I have only sown broad beans thus far.

I'd normally be planting French beans outside by now, but our forecast is still showing lows of 2c, and nothing better than 7c, at night for the next ten days

My broadies would normally be in flower, and they're still only 2" tall in the soil.