Rachel's Journal

Yes I think you are right. To a point. I think really tiny seeds sown do need a BIT of hardening off. But I reckon after they are out successfully for at least a week, the job is done.

Mind you, I AM NO EXPERT, as you all know. But maybe if I wasnt working, I would have taken a lot more precautions. Hope they are all ok.

I have just copied all on this site as it is my first year using the greenhouse but I still have little seeds on kitchen window waiting for them to get a little bigger and then out.

i am quite tough on my plants, they go straight out of the sweatlodge into the garden and they do ok, i don't be having the time for all this hardening off (nor do i have a coldframe or whatever you call those things).  like you, my zip-up door is fully open ost days (unless like yesterday there was a gale blowing through there) and i don't know if it's necessary to mollycoddle most plants too much.  having said that, i have the cutest little corn plant babies in seed trays and i'm too scared to put them out for another bit yet, maybe in a couple of weeks time, as the wind can be a huge chill factor and it can really sweep off the lake here, quite incredible - good luck with your endeavours, isn't it all so much fun??!!

I leave my plants almost similar with the greenhouse Rachel.Windows and door open all day,closed up at night.With some very tender seedlings the fish tank is used there at night,or brought inside.I cover some trays in the tunnel.Good luck with all your plans.

I wouldn't have a clue

Rachel I agree with you, When I was potting on some flowers, ran out of small individual pots, so stuck them straight into the garden from the greenhouse and they are much better than the ones I was minding and fussing over.

Right no more molly-coddling! well maybe I'll wait till this cold spell goes!

Rachel where you have doors and windows open in your greenhouse there already getting some hardening off.  I put out one cosmos and a french bean at the weekend  it killed the bean and the cosmos survived but has been brought back to the greenhouse as it did not look that happy.

Jacinta, I do like Clara does and keep tiny seeds in the house until they gain some size.

Hippychick, we do all have out favourite and molly coddle them a bit. But, as you say, hauling out and in is such a waste of time.

John, sounds like a sensible approach.

Rosburke, I had a similar experience with a tray of Petunias that was in the house and the slugs got them and then aphids got them. I decided to chuck them out so put them outside the back door (straight from the kitchen). They have been there 3 days and seen fine!

Myrtle & Una, I think you're right it is too early for planting out as there is still the danger of frost. Given it was such a cold winter and everything was so retarded in growth, I am not planting out until the traditional 1 June this year. But I may well go straight from the greenhouse to the great outdoors for many of my plants on 1 June. By the way, Una, what a shame you couldn't make the Rare Plant Fair.

Rachel you are too soft on your plants they get way too much water for a start so they must get an awful shock when there planted :-)

You are so cruel, Bill. I've improved enormously with the watering. Well disimproved actually - you know what I mean.

Rachel I was gutted I couldn't go.  We had a big family do so would have been in the dog house if I did'nt go.  I think my purse is a bit fuller for not going as it sounds like there was some lovely plants to be bought.