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Planting out early April

sbr143sbr143 Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi...  this is my first time ever on any forum - gardening or otherwise - so hope I'm posting in the correct category...!  My gardening efforts to date have always been a bit hit and miss, but now that I'm newly-retired and have more time to spend in the garden, I'd like to put more effort into getting it right - starting with this new Spring season.  So, here goes... 2 or 3 weeks ago I bought some perennials from our local garden centre (delphiniums, lupins, geraniums and erysimums).  Since then I've been keeping them in our small greenhouse.  I have, however, brought them out the last few days to enjoy the sunshine (22 degrees today, 21 yesterday), putting them back in the greenhouse overnight.  They are growing fast now and I was considering planting them out in the border.  I'm not sure how hardy these are... is it too early to plant these out..? I'm worried that they might become pot-bound if I don't.  Any advice would be much appreciated...  :)

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    All of them are hardy except the geraniums which If they are pelagoniums are half hardy and usually planted when risk of frost is gone.
    If they are a good size plant after the forecast cold snap.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    They might have been grown soft in sheltered conditions or under glass at the GC/nursery, so they'll need hardening off gradually to get them used to the outside conditions. As @K67 said, it's forecast cold next week so best to keep them in at least at nights, then gradually start leaving them out on milder nights, then out all the time but be prepared to cover them if it's going to be a chilly night, then finally plant them out. You can pot them on into bigger pots if you think they'll benefit.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • sbr143sbr143 Posts: 2
    K67 and JennyJ...  Many thanks to you both for your quick response... I've taken note of your recommendations and look forward to happy and healthy plants in the months to come :-)
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