Allotments 4 All

Just put up my 4 tier mini growhouse.
How long do you all allow your plants a bit of fresh air till they can sleep outside?
Im running out of windowsills and a divorce is imminent(same as last year)if i dont get some trays outside.
Cukes went out with me this morning at 0530,but it was a mild day??
Regards.

Hi steve,

Personally i dont, as i start everything off in a cold shed on the plot. If you have the young plants at home it will be easier. Put them out when you go to work in the morning, then bring them back in when you get home. A few days of this should be enough, just watch for any frosts forecast. All your greens should be ok to plant out now. Sweetcorn, beans, tomatoes, i won't be setting in the ground until the end of may.

I've been worrying about this, because I don't have any outside space other than my allotment, so I can't just take the plants out in the morning and bring them back in again at night (unless I go down to the plot, which is impractical in the morning). I was wondering if it would be sufficient to build a cloche covered in horticultural fleece, and put the seedlings in there, leaving them there 24 hours a day? Would that do the trick of hardening them off, without leaving them too vulnerable to frost etc?

I dont think there is to much to worry about at this time of year, apart from a late frost. I have made some large cloches, that i keep my seed trays under 24hrs a day now. Just got to remember to water, what with the warm sun at the moment. Fleece would do the job, just make sure they are protected from the birds, the pigeons here are on the plot at daybreak >:(. Just make sure to keep an eye on the weather, for any frosts forecast.

Thanks - I think I'll do that then!   :)

Not sure if this would help you but when I overwinter some less hardy plants that are in pots in my garden I put straw round the base of the plants and then get a bigger pot and line it with straw and then put the pot with the plant into it, and then cover with  fleece. It seems to work for me. Not very scientific I know but it does seem to give them an extra chance at surviving heavy frosts, so maybe you could get some trays or boxes, raise the plants of the ground and cover them / surround them with straw.
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