no idea how best to go about it, save weve started some off now (teddy bear ones so wont be big) but with the biggies they need to be staked (no dont stab them!!!) as wind and even squirrels will topple them for you, regards anything else, i dont know, slugs ate em last yr so i guess get em past slug gobbling size before planting out?? and birds ate the seeds out the ground last yr so dont plant straight out unless protected, lol, fingers crossed starting early this yr pays off!!!! and good luck! lou x