Stupid weather!
Noob Gardener2
Posts: 25
Hello all. Fairly newbie gardener here!
I have some shop-bought seedlings (stocks and antirrhinium) that I desperately want to plant out, but I've been putting it off because of the freezing night temperatures. Every morning I take them out for a bit of sunshine, and every night they go into the garage next to the compost bins, where it won't drop below freezing.
They're getting to be 3 inches tall now and could do with more soil. Trouble is, I have twenty-four of the damned things, and I don't want to have to plant them all in individual pots to be carted in and outdoors every day until the jet stream decides to move.
So, do I dare plant them into the ground yet, or should I just keep doing what I'm doing? I'm not well-equipped enough to have fleece or straw to place on the flowerbeds. But I do have some very attractive-looking (not) carrier bags!
Getting impatient.
Thanks,
Noob.
Posts
Any thing that is marked hardy can tolerate frost-any thing marked half-hardy can't and needs protection till at least Mid-May
Check the label what does it say?
Antirrhinums are hardy
Are these seedlings or plants??
Seedlings will need growing on to develop a good root system before planting out.
Where does a seedling end and a plant begin?! Both types have a few leaves on them 1-2in long. Both can be planted from March, but what with this March having been the coldest ever, I'm not sure about it.
The leaflet that came with them says they can survive down to 0 degrees, but I was wondering how far I could push this, and if anyone else has dared.
I also have a dahlia that I've been overwintering. The tubers look good, but the old growth (the cut-down bit that used to be above soil) is starting to go mouldy. Not sure how much longer I should keep that out of the soil for, either.
It was not the coldest March ever-this weather is not as unusual as is being made out-however
The best thing you can do is to take a picture -post that we all know what stage these have reached -then we can advise what to do next
The old dahlia stem should be cut off down to just above the tuber
Coldest since 1962.
Oh, alright then. Coldest in my lifetime
This is how they're looking whilst sat on my - ahem - luxurious lawn.
Just a child
Right- those can be planted out anytime you like
Oh goody!
*rubs hands together with prospect of muddy glee*
Doesn't it depend whether you have perennial ones or bedding ones? The bedding antirrhinums should not be planted out until risk of frost is over. Here's advice on growing from the RHS.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Children/For-families/Plants-to-grow-with-kids/Antirrhinum
The picture you posted are of Homebase bedding plants. (I know as I work in the garden centre there :P )
Those particular varieties are very hardy, Ive had them in the garden centre for approx 2 weeks and I just cover them before I leave the store with frost fleecing.
Havent lost 1 pack yet!
Although I would still be cautious planting them yet as the ground is still so cold.
Wait til the weekend at least when its due to warm up a bit then if any frosts are due after that just cover them up
Good advise Mattbeer87, if you work for Homebase, nice to have you on board.