On 25/4/07 21:01, in article , "Tim W"
wrote:


"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 24/4/07 23:37, in article , "Tim W"
wrote:

Iread in many places about the need to gently introduce seedlings to the
outside. What's the point of this? It sounds like a lot of fuss and
bother.

Where do you live? If it's in Salcombe or the Scillies you probably don't
need to worry. If it's anywhere else you could learn by doing.

I am growing a few veges in Somerset, and indeed learning by doing

;-( The
fuss and bother is to harden your plants off - you're sending them to
horticultural boot camp. Stick them out in the day time for some fresh
air,
bring them in at night to protect them from cold and maybe frost, which
will
kill them. When the danger of frost is past for your area, plant them
where
you want them to grow permanently.

Frost isn't the isue AIUI. some books and mags say you bring them in and out
and in and out and lids on and lids off to sort of get them used to the
weather. So far I haven't bothered with that.

Grow the plants in seed trays. Pot them on. Put them outside in the day
time to toughen them up to outdoor temps a bit, take them in at night
because they won't take the cold night temps we're getting right now.
Tonight, for example, is v. chilly here.

BTW, when you say 'seedlings', I am
assuming you do NOT mean baby plants still in a seed tray but pricked out
plants in pots. I hope.

After some unreliable outside germination and also cats digging up seeds and
small seedlings I have taken to planting in cells in a plastic tray or in
peat pots. It's only a small veg patch for fun so only small quantities.
Then as soon as I think I can I put them in the ground. Spinach, runner
beans, sweetcorn, lettuce, beetroot, courgette. what's the alarm about baby
plants? Pricking out is another thing I don't really follow. I try to get
the whole lump of compost out with an old teaspoon and stick it in a hole.
Is that wrong too?

If the plants get cold and waterlogged, they'll probably die. Does your
method work for you? Because if so, why are you asking us why you should do
anything else? I'm afraid I don't understand your problem.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/
(remove weeds from address)