[boddy]

My pumpkin, squash and courgettes seedling were pushing their roots out of their cardboard pots so I decided to plant them out today.  I've put spent coffee granules around them to try and deter slugs and put glass cloches over them (old fashioned glass type open each end so won't stop rodents).
What are their chances of survivals o I can mentally prepare myself?
I've planted them at the edge of a bed and plan to grow them onto the large grass area to save room in my bed will this work is I put a bit of straw under each pumpkin/squash/courgette?

Thanks

Amanda

[Beetroot Queen]

My courgettes went out under a little poly, two chances

[gavinjconway]

I've put spent coffee granules around them to try and deter slugs ...

Whats wrong with slug pellets??

[pigguns]

Last year I was heartbroken at the early slug devastation, looked like gonners but they made it through and produced fine.  I used sprinkled bran in the end as pellets didn't seem to help.  The slugs will be in hiding in that grass remember!

[strider84]

My Courgettes have been in the ground for about 3 weeks and are doing fine.

[compostqueen]

I only just sowed mine as we get frosts until the second week in June hereabouts.   I once lost the lot on a weekend of 4th and 5th June. A date etched on my brain    I don't rush to put them out now. Lesson learned

[JayG]

For around these parts planting out tender stuff in early May would usually be suicidal, late May sometimes a bit risky, but like CQ I am still traumatised by the early June frost a few years ago, although it didn't kill everything off.

Obviously location makes a difference, as does whether you happen to have a frost-prone microclimate, but no-one can predict with certainty exactly when is 'safe', and it's not just about avoiding frost either - they won't be happy if temperatures regularly drop well below 10C for any length of time.
Every year there will always be someone who has defied the odds and therefore has a smug smile and lots of very early courgettes and beans, but it won't ever be me! 

My squashes and courgettes are only just getting their first true leaves now, but I still expect to be planting them out by the end of May after a scrutiny of the weather forecasts....

Boddy: Properly hardened off, with some overhead protection and slug precautions the odds are yours will be OK - not sure about using straw to cushion the fruits, if it's wet it may attract more slugs so be careful.

[Yorkie]

Did you harden them off before planting them outdoors, boddy?

If not, then keep an eye on them overnight later this week because the drop in temps at night might cause them a little shock.

[boddy]

I've just checked on them this afternoon and they look untouched, I'll throw a fleece over overnight if we get some cool weather. Nope, didn't harden them of, were previously on the windowsill was hoping I wouldn't need to in the hot weather.

My brussel sprouts however that I have just taken the protection off (cut off plastic bottles) have been eaten down to their stalks, rabbit I think! Might they recover if I protect them again?

[mumofstig]

Nope, didn't harden them of, were previously on the windowsill was hoping I wouldn't need to in the hot weather

Hardening off means getting them used to the weather outside - which includes getting them used to hot sun if they're not used to it all day 

[azubah]

And the wind.

Mine are out so I constructed a windbreak to protect them a little.

[LilacSandy]

Depends on how far down the stalks they have been eaten, if the growing point is still there they will recover and grow on, if not they are dead.

[Totty]

Mine are going out this week, after hardening for a couple of weeks. All in five inchers and drying out daily.

Totty