[Hey Jude]

I've grown some hardy annuals that I planted last autumn 9scabious, ammi major) and they've been in the cold frame over the last few months and have grown into lovely sturdy plants, now, here's my question, can I plant them out now? A book I've got says to leave them until after the frosts, but given that they've been out all winter (though they were protected from the frosts) and I could have sown them direct last October, are they going to keel over if they go out now? Thank you!

[Celtic Eagle]

Hi
If they have been in the cold frame all winter It hinkd I'd go with the 'harden off' routine.

open the frame a bit then shut it down at night after a week open it bit more and shut down and so on over about 3 weeks

Should be fine

[Hey Jude]

Thanks Celtic Eagle, they've 'accidentally' been at the mercy of the elements a few times when I've forgotten to close the cold frame up so they stand half a chance!

[Stripey_cat]

If you sowed them in the open last autumn, they'd have made much less growth, and what they did put on would have been very tough.  As it is, they've been a bit more sheltered, so the growth will be a bit softer and sappier and thus more vulnerable to frost and wind.  Best to harden them off gently - you can help by swishing your hand back and forth over the tops for a few minutes (basically you mimic the wind shaking the plants) - and let them gradually adapt to the cooler air.