Right time to plant pansies and primulas outside

Sandra A

I have a few small plugs of primulas and Winter pansies and I am not sure when should I plant them outside. They look so small and the cold is increasing! Could anyone guide me, please? Thank you

Perki

How big are your plug plants ? 

Busy-Lizzie

I've planted mine, they are hardy.

Sandra A

REALLY tiny around 2 inches 

Busy-Lizzie

Just watch out for slugs. Mine are all in big pots around the house, they are fine that small.

Sandra A

Oh good, they look like wanna play outside, but I was in doubt! I want to put most of them in pots! Thank you 

Fairygirl

I think you have to be careful with those just now. I couldn't plant something that size outside at the moment, unless I could keep molluscs away from them. They'd disappear overnight.
If you put them into pots, slug/snails are still the biggest issue. Weather won't affect them. If you have them indoors, get them outside as much as possible for the next few days, and then it won't come as a shock.
We've already had four or five frosts here, but many areas are having their first tonight, so be aware of that for a few days 

Sandra A

Thank you for all the answers. Would it kill them to remain indoors until they get bigger?

Fairygirl

It's a difficult call at this time of year @Sandra A. If you leave them too long inside, they'll grow, but will become a bit leggy and weak, and it also becomes harder to get them adjusted to outside conditions again. 
If you have a cold frame, you could put them in that, opening it throughout the day and closing it at night, for a while. It really depends how mild it is where you are too- they might grow on quite a bit outside anyway, if it stays favourable 

If you can keep them away from being munched, they'll be fine outside, but give them a few days to adjust, as they'll have been grown undercover. 

cornelly

Always liked to get them to flower before planting out, assured of a good root system.

Sandra A

Hi Fairygirl, I am in Durham, philippa smith2 at the minute they are in a windowsill that gets sun all day (when we have sun), it is pretty warm there, I see no signs of roots coming out, I just keep them moist. I do not have a cold frame or anything to protect them from pests. I cannot use pellets because it is toxic for pets. I think I am going to put them in and out for a few days and have the courage to put out my babies, Pic was from pansies, I also have primulas, I just thought they were so tiny to have a chance outside. Are they growing ok? It is just not knowing, I have the same prob with sweetpeas, some say we have to start seeds in October, others say it is December, others January.... I have no idea!