As the weather warms up nicely here in the UK, it's the perfect time to give your tender vegetable seedlings, like tomatoes and cucumbers, their permanent homes outdoors. These warmth-loving plants need careful handling to ensure a successful and productive summer harvest. Here is a guide on how to plant them out effectively:
Step 1: Prepare Your Planting Area.
Tomatoes: Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure a week or two before planting. If you're growing cordon (upright) varieties, insert stakes or supports now to avoid damaging roots later.
Cucumbers: These also prefer a sunny and sheltered location with rich, well-drained soil.1 You can train them to climb supports like trellises or canes or allow them to trail along the ground.
Step 2: Harden Off Your Seedlings.
Crucial Step: Before planting directly into the garden, your seedlings need to be acclimatized to outdoor conditions. This process, known as "hardening off," gradually exposes them to cooler temperatures, wind, and stronger sunlight over 7-10 days.
How to Harden Off: Start by placing them in a sheltered spot outdoors for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time and exposure. Bring them back indoors or to a protected area overnight if frost is still a risk.
Step 3 : The Planting Process.
Timing: Plant out after the last expected frost in your area. For many parts of the UK, late May or early June is ideal.
Tomatoes: Dig holes deep enough to bury the lower part of the stem – this encourages more root growth. Space plants according to the variety (check seed packets for recommendations), typically 18-36 inches apart. Water them well after planting.
Cucumbers: Dig holes and plant seedlings at the same depth they were in their pots. Space climbing varieties about 18 inches apart and trailing varieties about 3 feet apart. Water thoroughly.
Comfort First: As you spend time preparing the soil and carefully planting your precious seedlings, our comfortable gardening boots will provide the support and protection your feet need, making the task more enjoyable.
Step 4: Provide Initial Care:
Watering: Water your newly planted tomatoes and cucumbers regularly, especially during dry spells, to help them establish strong root systems.
Support: Tie tomato stems to their stakes or supports as they grow. Train cucumber vines up their supports, if using.
Protection: Be prepared to protect young plants from late frosts or sudden cold snaps with fleece or cloches.
By following these steps, you will give your tender tomatoes and cucumbers the best possible start for a bountiful summer harvest. Enjoy the process and look forward to the delicious rewards!