On Saturday, 6 April 2013 11:44:52 UTC+1, Bob Hobden wrote:
Tried that David but it didn't work for me, strange mice here obviously.

Some on our site appear to be able to grow straight into the ground and I

did it one year with success, but only once, I now use the guttering method.

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I used the guttering method as usual and just as they reached the point where most are showing through the compost and I wanted to put them out in the (mouseproofed) coldframe the cold snap started. I hesitated instinctively but experience and my wife said 'just do it'
The last snow went from the garden yesterday (there'd been over 10") and temp down to -3.
They and the sweet peas that went out at the same time are absolutely fine - in fact the peas are ready to go down to the plot.
Also exhumed one of the spuds planted a few days before the snow and they're fine despite the plastic tents being blown away in the storm (found the last of those yesterday as the snow went)
All of those peas and sweet peas have fared better than if I'd kept them soft in our utility room and was trying to harden them off now.
It's a gospel I've been preaching for some years now about keeping hardy plants hardy. However I very nearly failed to practice what I preach - saved from perdition by Mrs Rod.

Rod