[Steamairy]

This is my second year of growing in small raised beds in my garden.
I have a variety of seeds growing well in modules - brussel sprouts, cabbages, mangetout, red onions etc.
Each seedling seems to have enough room at the moment in its module. Do I need to transplant them into 3 in pots or can they stay in the modules until I plant them outside?
So much to learn....................but I'm learning every day!! 

[Trillium]

As long as you feel the plants have enough root space to keep growing, then don't bother transplanting. Not everything grows at the same rate and some plants do much better once they're outside. Only if you feel it could do with more space, or if you even have the pots and storing space, would you transplant into larger units.

[sunshineband]

If you can't see white roots poking out of the drainage hole then they are OK 

[pushrod]

If you collect 2 litre pop bottles (or similar) and cut the bottoms off you can plant out earlier - putting the bottle over your young plant with a thin cane just sticking out the top to hold it in place. This should mean that you can go straight from module to ground without any problems. If there is a chance of a frost push the canes right inside and  put the lids on.

[andtiggertoo]

pushrod thanks for that tip, will start collecting pop bottles, for when I plant my seedlings out. Do you water through the hole in the bottle too ?

I have most of my seeds and seedlings in 6cm pots outside on weed suppressant material covered over with a mini polytunnel, I have been wondering what is the lowest temperature they can withstand.

[pushrod]

pushrod thanks for that tip, will start collecting pop bottles, for when I plant my seedlings out. Do you water through the hole in the bottle too ?

I have most of my seeds and seedlings in 6cm pots outside on weed suppressant material covered over with a mini polytunnel, I have been wondering what is the lowest temperature they can withstand.

I water at the sides (on outside) of the bottle i think it encourages the roots to grow down.

With regard to withstanding low temps i think it is all to do with how much they have been hardened off already, age, moisture content of soil and whether or not there is dry still air around the seedling. We had ice on puddles yesterday and a minus 1C in the greenhouse but every thing survived fairly happily

[Steamairy]

Thanks for the advice everyone. That's put my mind at rest...........................on this topic anyway!!

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, just to add one more i sow brassicas into those modules with 6 large compartments with a few seeds in two corners each giving 12 plants per module simply knock out and split in half.

[johnhar]

Brassicas grow ok in modules, i find that 40 cells to a full size seed tray is ok. The only other thing is please do remember to feed them as they grow with a liquid feed once a week & afinal good watering & feed just before planting out.

   John :happy:

[Steamairy]

Thanks Johnhar - hadn't thought about feeding them.