planting out hardy veg

[bikermike]

OK, I have my veg all in propagator trays (ie unheated) in my (unheated) greenhouse.

Some are sprouting. So thinking ahead.

Clearly, they should all be fine outdoors as they are all the sort of thing that grows here (onions, cabbage, cauli, swiss chard, sprouts, broccoli etc etc).

At the moment, some are putting up their seed leaves.

when would you start hardening them off? (in growth terms, seeing as dates are all to pot this year), and for how long etc

A further complication is the fact I won't be near my greenhouse on weekdays except early morning (7ish) and evening (8ish) (with the possible exception of Wednesdays when my wife is home and might be amenable to do a bit of moving).

any thoughts?

[nickdub]

Keep an eye on the weather forecast - as long as it is not frosty they should be OK outside as long as they have a bit of a cover over them like a piece of plastic sheeting.

Be ware of slugs and don't forget to cover the ground where you will be planting them, so that has a chance to warm up too.

[Penellype]

I wouldn't be thinking of planting out until they have at least 4 true leaves. The soil is very cold and wet at the moment and more cold and wet weather is forecast. Covering the soil with plastic is a good plan as it will keep off the worst of the rain and allow the sun to warm the soil (assuming it appears).

The night time temperature difference between outside and an unheated greenhouse is only a couple of degrees, so as long as you choose your time carefully when nights are reasonably warm you should be able to plant out straight from the greenhouse (this is what I do).