[jsgreen89]

Bit of an odd question, but we're heading on holiday for 3 weeks in late May, back mid-June. As great as that is all I'm thinking atm is "that's prime planting time I'm missing "

I'm interested in getting some tomato plants, runner/French beams and courgette plants going this year. Will it be too late if I get back but then head to the garden centre to get little starter plants?

[BabbyAnn]

I find I'm planting my winter squash, sweetcorn and tomatoes outside round about the 21st June (I normally take a week's leave then) and providing we get a decent summer, they usually do fine.  Any later, and I think they might not do so well.  Having saying that, my plants tend to be bordering on getting a little too big to handle by then.  French beans should be ok - I think you can sow them as late as July (not something I've tried I might add) 

[mumofstig]

I'd sow/grow and plant out runner/French beans and courgette plants out before I go, they should look after themselves out in the ground.

Worry about the toms when you get back

[chrisnchris]

Personally I would say that's a bit late, but then again I don't know very much 

I assume toms in greenhouse, beans & courgette outside?

If I was in your situation I think I would start the toms from seed now, they should be big enough to put into large pots just before you go & left in a shady sheltered spot where they might get rain water.

The beans & courgettes I would start end of April & plant them out, again just before you go. Make sure the beans have supports & if possible at least one "tie"

Do you have a neighbour/friend who could water for you, even a couple of times a week would help.

Let them take their chances, you might be pleasantly surprised on your return  ....or they might all be dead 

[jambop]

I live in SW Fance last year we had a dreadful spring it rained for nearly the whole of April and May. We had a good spell mid may and I put my toms in as usual... it then proceeded to rain from then until the first week of June and the temps were also low at about 12 - 14C the plants were completely stopped in their tracks! I know this is not your exact problem but to put you at ease I would have been better putting my toms in in June and have them growing unchecked than planting early and losing some and the others being stunted. You may lose a truss or two so just grow more than normal to make up the difference. I grow a lot of tomatoes here  usually three or four varieties about 30- 40 plants in total and take usually four or five trusses on each.

[Hampshire Hog]

I'm in a similar position to you as i am going away for a couple of weeks in May. I have just put some tomato seeds into a propagator along with courgettes my hope is that I can put them out before I go. Then it's cross your fingers early may is the time for our last frost but who would trust the climate now  ??
If you are lucky all will go well otherwise maybe you can still get some plants from a garden centre and put them in late.

Good luck HH

[jsgreen89]

Hmm ok maybe I should get a few seeds going now, so that I can plant a few bean plants outside in mid-May, and maybe some courgette / tomatoes in some medium sized pots. My only concern is if we somehow have a really warm May and things in pots die off.

It's one of those awkward situations where I know the neighbours, but don't really want to burdon them for 3 weeks of watering.. Mabybe if I start buttering them up now

Also anyone used something like this for Toms?
https://www.greenhousesensation.co.uk/duogrow-planter.html

[BabbyAnn]

and maybe some courgette / tomatoes in some medium sized pots. My only concern is if we somehow have a really warm May and things in pots die off.

I think pots would be a big mistake - May/June can go either way (cold and wet, or warm and dry) so I think they would be better in the ground as MoS suggests.  If you come back to a disaster, there's always plan B which is to go to the garden centre and get some plants 

[jsgreen89]

Hmm I have space for a few bean plants and a courgette plant in the garden, but no place that is suitably sunny enough for toms. However I have a patio that's perfect, hence the need for pots for toms.. Maybe worth waiting for those then?