Topic: Is it too early?

[Anne Robertson]

I have courgettes with 4-5 true leaves that  are in a mini green house that is open during the day, is it too early to plant them on the lottie under fleece?Next year I'll remember not to sow too soon (again) ;D

[cleo]

Ani-I took the liberty of checking your profile. I would say it is too early,but why not try anyway?-but sow a couple now just in case

[Merry Tiller]

It's way too early but as Cleo says sow some more just in case. I haven't sowed any of my squashes yet (apart from giant pumpkins), there's still plenty of time to get some more going

[redimp]

Fleece gives you about two weeks head start so I will be plating out mid May - end of May is the last frost date (in Lincs) (usually but not last year)  With Cheshire being on the West, you may have a slightly earlier last frost date.

[Curryandchips]

Last year, I had 4 plants in large pots which I put out on a bench at the beginning of May to harden them off. They were chopped down by a frost during that week, and completely lost. Fortunately, I had more seed and managed to get another sowing.

My recommendation is keep them wrapped up for at least two more weeks. Fleece will save the day if needed.

[Anne Robertson]

Right, I'm keeping them in the mini greenhouse for another two weeks at least. Thanks for advice.

[carloso]

i planted mine out on Saturday, Due to the fact that they have done better than expected, I have made a clotch to put them under and hope that they do survive !!

i also have done a couple extra seeds just in case also

carl

[pakaba]

Hi

Couldn't believe it when i went up the lottie today, the folks on the plot next to ours have planted out their squashes, tomatoes, and runner beans :o  No protection either.  I've only just planted my beans and squash, I started to panic for a while then I realised it was still really early.

P.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Last year I had plants badly damaged by frost in mid-June. This year I'll be leaving the protection on till then if they don't outgrow it first, which they probably will. The bees are about three weeks ahead of last year, and I hope this is going to be reflected in the weather.

[cowellen]

Right, I'm keeping them in the mini greenhouse for another two weeks at least. Thanks for advice.

ani - i'm not far from you (liverpool) and i have done the same as  you ..lol ;)

my courgettes are also kicking on various windowsills. with 4 - 5 true leaves.

the weather has been great here (got the tan lines to prove it :))

and lots of bees all buzzing about .. so i'm thinking 2 weeks of putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night... and then to plant out ...

will let u know how they get on - might plant half out after a week. (funny thing is - i dont like courgette that much :P)

best of luck ...  ;D

[Anne Robertson]

Couldn't wait ;D I've just planted two courgetts under fleece. fingers crossed.  ;D

[flossie]

My neighbour planted hers out early, they got frosted but recovered. 

Good luck

[Mrs Ava]

Here in Essex, the larger of the squash seedlings will be going out on Monday along with one batch of tomatos.  A second squash sowing will then take place to try and lengthen the cropping season.  Our allotment is very sheltered and dry and last year I was very late planting squashes out in May as the old boys get theres out on the 1st May.  I tend to follow their lead as Jack has been gardening on our site for some 40 years.

[MattyJC]

I only sowed my courgettes yesterday, as well as the normal type I'm trying the variety eight ball this year. fingers crossed!

Matt