Soon we'll be planting out those autumn sown plants......remember to plant at least 8 inches apart (1ft if space allows). This allows for adequate air circulation between plants.....any closer could lead to mildew problems later in the season.
I put my autumn sown plants outside to harden them off (a couple of weeks ago) and they have mostly all turned purple/grey - so upset as they were healthy looking plants when they were in the cold G/H. I assume that the cold wind we have been having has done the damage to the plants - will they survive - some of them are pot bound with roots coming through the bottom of the pots.
Oh dear, that's so disappointing, Guernsey Donkey I'm sure you are right, it's probably wind burn......but in fairness, I've warned about here lots of times and It's a fact we've had these cold biting winds for many weeks now.
Probably best to return them to your cold greenhouse to recover (they will) meantime be sparse with watering.
I'm never quite sure about the term 'hardening-off' when applied to sweet peas.....they are already hardy, unless made soft by too much pampering.
I'll repeat something else I've said here many times, 'I've never lost sweet peas to frost, but I have lost them to cold winds'.
Thanks for your sympathy - I am truly upset - these little plants had been my "babies" since I sowed the seeds last Oct/Nov. and I was so surprised to see them germinate and grow into healthy looking plants - and now they look awful - but I am reassured by your coments David K & scroggin. I have returned them to the cold GH and will watch with interest as hopefully they will recover from their shock. I think I would be a bit blue and purple by now if I had been sat out in that cold wind for the past two weeks.
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Total waste of time, Hosta.
Although I suppose it could be said, it does no harm. 
right, mass sowing tomorrow.
Thanks David.
May I just add a timely reminder to the thread?
Soon we'll be planting out those autumn sown plants......remember to plant at least 8 inches apart (1ft if space allows). This allows for adequate air circulation between plants.....any closer could lead to mildew problems later in the season.
They were planted out today David.
Good to know, Yvie.....hope your back is better.
Thank you David-I was looking for this thread to ask that very question!!
I put my autumn sown plants outside to harden them off (a couple of weeks ago) and they have mostly all turned purple/grey - so upset as they were healthy looking plants when they were in the cold G/H. I assume that the cold wind we have been having has done the damage to the plants - will they survive - some of them are pot bound with roots coming through the bottom of the pots.
Oh dear, that's so disappointing, Guernsey Donkey
I'm sure you are right, it's probably wind burn......but in fairness, I've warned about here lots of times and It's a fact we've had these cold biting winds for many weeks now.
Probably best to return them to your cold greenhouse to recover (they will) meantime be sparse with watering.
I'm never quite sure about the term 'hardening-off' when applied to sweet peas.....they are already hardy, unless made soft by too much pampering.
I'll repeat something else I've said here many times, 'I've never lost sweet peas to frost, but I have lost them to cold winds'.
Thanks for your sympathy - I am truly upset - these little plants had been my "babies" since I sowed the seeds last Oct/Nov. and I was so surprised to see them germinate and grow into healthy looking plants - and now they look awful - but I am reassured by your coments David K & scroggin. I have returned them to the cold GH and will watch with interest as hopefully they will recover from their shock. I think I would be a bit blue and purple by now if I had been sat out in that cold wind for the past two weeks.