Hardening off cabbage?

[nerobot]

Hi,

I have some early summer cabbage that I have been growing in a seed tray indoors. They have been thinned and transplanted to bigger seed tray, and are now about 3cm tall with their first real cabbage leaves

In a few weeks I'm hoping to plant them outside, but I'm woundering if they need to be hardened off first, or if they are hardy enough to be planted striaght out?

Thanks for any advice,

Steven

[rustylady]

Do you have a cold frame, cold greenhouse, or sheltered spot on a patio? They really do need to be cool (not frosty) or they will grow leggy and soft.

[nerobot]

They are growing on a window ledge in south facing room. Though they are kept cool due to brease through window seal (stupid window not fitted right). They have been growing since beginning of month and no sign of getting leggy.

Steven

[sewer rat]

Given the current weather forecast (and the fact that you're north of the border) I would say that they definitely need to be hardened off before planting out. If you have access to a cold frame or greenhouse that's ideal but if it's a sheltered area of garden, put them out during the day and then bring them in at night for about ten days. I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to get them planted - the soil is probably still too cold yet anyway, and that in itself could set them back.

[Snadger]

If they are in seed trays you could harden them off by putting clear plastic propagators lids over the trays and putting them outdoors in a sheltered spot, gradually alowing more ventilation.

[Cutecumber]

Yep, harden them off. Even hardy plants get a nasty shock if you alter their conditions.

They may have been on a draughty windowsill, but it's still a lot warmer and more sheltered than outside.

There's no rush, it's still early.