[Remy]

I've got my courgettes in root trainer modules at the moment & they are develloping a nice root system. I was wondering if it's to early to plant them out or not.

The first two true leaves are growing strong.

What do you think?

[sazzy123]

I would say while there is risk off frost dont put them out yet, but i could be wrong (also being a newbie)  my plot neighbour has planted his out already with no protection, i am still waiting for mine to grow (since the first lot were destroyed)

[Trebor]

I planted a couple out last week, without protection as an experiment – they are dead now. Draw you own conclusions!

[andreadon]

if you've only got two true leaves, they don't have a hope.

wait till you've got another pair - by then the frost will be less likely.

although i always wait till the end of may.

[DIGGER]

I always sow six  and plant three out mid April ,at the moment they are looking healthy, if something did happen i have the other three which were sown two weels later to follow in the ground

If alls well i give the last three away

[Kristen]

I think they stand still, at best, if the nights are cold, so I don't think there is any point putting them out - if it no late fosts occur.

Mine are outside, brought in at night, (they would grow too fast if inside, so not exactly hardening them off, more slowing them down!) and I will pot on to 5" this weekend and then they should manage the last through May ready for planting out - if not I'll pot on again.

[Remy]

Thanks,
I was thinking to pot them up to get them nice & strong before I plant them out.
I just wanted to make sure.

Will wait until the end of may.

[savbo]

I see you're in Bucks... for those a bit further north, when we were in N Ireland I always found my courgettes planted before mid-June didn't really thrive, ones planted later would overtake them...

[gobs]

They are frost tender, simple as that. If they were bigger, well developed plants, you could put them out under cloche and that works fine if you are mad on them but else it's a waste of a cloche even, really.

[Brambles]

Am only just sowing mine this weekend... am in the South, but I reckon that they will have caught everyone up in a couple of weeks and be good strong plants..   If you want to plant out now, give a couple a go..  my bet is that you certainly will not gain anything but it will be a good experiment, you won't know if you don't try

[cooperman]

far too early yet, you gain nothing by trying as they romp away anyways.

I always grow mine on in the greenhouse then plant out under bell cloches last week of May. The bell cloches are mainly to keep the critters off but do ensure they get away quickly, always works for me...

[Harry Flashman VC]

2 under fleece doing okay I put 4 in last years compost bin 3 have died got plenty more in the greenhouse will wait a couple more weeks before putting them out

[bailey]

I put 6 in a couple of pots approx 3 weeks back,, all are in a coldframe outdoors and left at night and still coming on really strong,, to be fair though i still have a few that were potted later just in case..

[Kristen]

"plant out under bell cloches last week of May"

<Hits forehead!>

I've got bell cloches, never thought to use them for Courgettes.  This year I WILL!! I think Courgettes are very susceptible to low temperature, "stalling" before getting going when the nights warm up, and I'll give them some extra TLC to get them going more quickly this year. Thanks!