Cucumbers - how (and when) to harden off

[Gillian]

I have 11 cucumber plants (yes I know it's too many I got a bit over excited with the seeds). Firstly, when should I start to harden them off. I plan to put some of them in my new cold frame (and give the rest to friends). When is it safe to put them out?

Also how do I harden them off? I tried putting one of them outside for a few hours on Saturday and it started to go limp. They don't seem to like sun or cold right now.
Any tips?

Thanks

[Gillian]

[Kerry]

outside? not until after the frosts.
i guess hardening off depends on variety-assuming you have outdoor-not greenhouse cucumbers. i wouldn't put them in a cold frame until....mid May(guessing here). that's what i would aim for with mine, anyway.
here's hoping some one more knowledgeable comes along..... ;)

[tim]

No 'expert' - but agree! Ours won't go into a cold 'house till mid-end May.

You put them out at what stage from what 'closeting'? In what pots? And were they fully moist? And had they filled the pots with roots? And with no protection??

[LesH]

    Hi Gillian     I'm only about 20 miles away from you. Last year we had a frost on the 17th of May. I started my cucumbers off in the conservatory on 23 March. They are now about 2 inch tall with one adult leaf. I've now repotted them into three and a half inch pots and put them into a closed cold frame. Open the lid of the cold frame a couple of inches each day, this helps harden them off, but close the lid each night. I plant mine out at the allotment approx 10th May, then cover with a plastic bottle untill the risk of frost is over, and pick anytime from 10th July onwards. Good Luck LesH