[richy]

Can someone tell me if i should plant out my courgettes, i live in somerset, my courgettes were sown a month ago yesterday and they have 6 proper leaves on them and what looks like flowers starting, they are currently in a cold frame in the garden.

Cheers

Rich

[Weston grower]

Courgettes are are very susceptible to cold and frost. The gamble is if you plant them out now they may well succumb.

I think, like me in years past you have planted them too early. The trick is to time their planting so that they are rready to go out the day after the last frost! If you can work out when that is please let me know.

What I now do is plant a couple of seeds nowish, a couple in a few weeks time and then some more. This means that I stand a good chance of having something to put out when the weather makes it mind up.

Regards, WG

[mumofstig]

Only you know your local climate Here it is still much too cold at night
They can't be planted out until frosts have finished, unless you have cloches you can put over them.

[richy]

Thanks peeps, cloches why didnt i think of that, after all they are in a cold frame so a cloche isnt that much different i dont suppose, i will also start some more of just in case.

cheers

Rich

[Sharon]

Can't remember the last time we had a frost.  Probably mid January. Could really do with some rain though

[Nige2Plots]

I always wait until mid May

[mumofstig]

Can't remember the last time we had a frost.  Probably mid January. Could really do with some rain though

we're still having them........it's just that the early sun means you don't see them.
Look how often the temp is forecast for 5C anything near that temperature means it is cold enough for frost   

[Runwell-Steve]

we had a frost last night.

[potatogrower]

last year i planted mine outside and during the cold spring it stopped them growing. soon as the days got warmer they grew very quickly. don't think at this time of year they will die but it would just stem their growth. best to start growing now so by may days will get warmer and better for them to be planted outside.

[Yorkie]

I'd have thought you won't be frost-free for another month at least.

I won't be sowing my courgette seed for another 2 or 3 weeks.

[MiklovesHerb(s)]

awwh i wish i hadn't read this we are so proud of our little plants!

good job we have more seeds!

[Sharon]

we're still having them........it's just that the early sun means you don't see them.
Look how often the temp is forecast for 5C anything near that temperature means it is cold enough for frost    

I don't sleep much so I'm awake before dawn usually. We really haven't had any frost.


edit to clarify quote

[Kristen]

13-Apr minimum near Sandwich, Kent was 1.0 - 1.6C - and 3 or 4 nights below 0C in March - but you might be more mild nearer the sea  ...

[mumofstig]

it might be worth keeping an eye on the Deal pier weather station.

It also shows the low figures for earlier in April.........but who knows if they will return :blink: