[Azazello]

I have some small calabrese plants sitting in some John Innes 2. They're all an inch or so high with 2 leaves and the hint of more.

Are they too small to plant out in the allotment?

Thanks in advance.

[Nobbie]

Yes, at that size they can be finished off by a hungry slug or a peck from a pigeon. Are they in individual pots/cells? I tend to pot mine up into 3" pots before planting out, but will use 24 cell trays as well. This way you have a strong plant which is more likely to survive the inevitable attacks.

[Goldfinger]

My greens are 2 inches high, in cell trays too.

We go on holiday next week so was wondering too if they're too small to go out, even if they were fleece covered too....?

Or can they wait just that little bit longer until we get back, this cooler weather seems to be keeping them from growing quicker than they should be...?

[LilacSandy]

Fleece with keep the flying rats off but the slugs will still crawl underneath.  I would wait till you get back, unless hot weather is forecast.

[Goldfinger]

Hot weather, what's that?? 

We're going down to the Peak District in our caravan for a week, so doubt it....... 

[Azazello]

Thanks people.

They're not doing very well at the moment - I might start over.

[Goldfinger]

Well, we're here at Buxton on holiday (park has free wifi  ), but last week, before we came down, I put out all our greens.

They were only 3 inches high, but they had to go regardless. Covered with netting, and they have to take the chance sadly until we get back....

[maxibo]

I would pot them on in some limed compost a la John Harrison's method.  I am completely unable to do a linky thing but there will be someone else who can, I know  .  I have grown calabrese for the first time this year from seed and have had good results (100%) following this method.  However, be warned that once you have a strong plant and put them out the slugs LOVE THEM!