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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: BarbaraGood on May 15, 2007, 08:21:11

Title: Planting out when its wet
Post by: BarbaraGood on May 15, 2007, 08:21:11
I am sure I have read you can't plant you seeds as they may go mouldy due to the wetness of the ground. But can I plant out established seedlings? My courgettes are starting to wilt and I am sure its cos they have been in pots for so long, and some of my sweetcorn is looking a bit sad today!
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: tim on May 15, 2007, 08:25:09
Plants? Ideal - AFTER hardening off.

Seeds? So long as you're not waterlogged, I would say yes. Much better than the month of dustbowl that we've had.
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: caroline7758 on May 15, 2007, 09:09:54
Even after all the rain, I wouldn't describe my soil as wet- it was just right for digging yesterday. I put down a line of commercial compost before I sow seeds, mainky to get a finer surface, but guess that would also help if the soil is wet?
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: antipodes on May 15, 2007, 12:52:28
I am hoping to weed this evening! The rain has meant that the bindweed and thistles just slide out of the soil!!! yippee, cos some bits are looking a bit messy!!
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: BarbaraGood on May 15, 2007, 13:03:08
Quote from: tim on May 15, 2007, 08:25:09
Plants? Ideal - AFTER hardening off.

Seeds? So long as you're not waterlogged, I would say yes. Much better than the month of dustbowl that we've had.

as yes, can you explain hardening off to me  :-\ I have been meaning to find out for weeks to no avail!
(Yet anoteher dumb question from me!!)
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: cornykev on May 15, 2007, 15:40:29
Hardening off is when your plants are nearly ready to go out on the plot but not quite ready, so put them outside for a few hours in the daytime if its not to cold then if its mild enough leave out all day but bring them in at nights after a few weeks of this most plants will be hardened off, if that makes any sense.  ;D ;D ;D ???
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: tim on May 15, 2007, 16:29:00
It really is a must - even though I can never stick to the rules. And, if you don't, the plants can just sit in the ground for weeks, doing nothing.

Of course, at this time of year, you might get away with a week?
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: BarbaraGood on May 16, 2007, 07:55:05
Makes total sense, even witha hangover  ;D ???

Thank you!
Title: Re: Planting out when its wet
Post by: kt. on May 16, 2007, 18:36:05
Quote from: BarbaraGood on May 15, 2007, 08:21:11
I am sure I have read you can't plant you seeds as they may go mouldy due to the wetness of the ground. But can I plant out established seedlings?

Hope so. I planted out seeds the day the rain started. It hasnt stopped since. Hope they are not all lost.