Planting out

When all danger of frost has passed in your area, which in most parts is about the end of May or the first week of June, planting out can begin and should be completed as quickly as possible. Do not be tempted to plant out earlier than this. Most plants need a reasonably fertile soil which should also be weed-free. Ideally it will have been dug over and enriched with compost or other well-rotted organic matter beforehand. A dressing of a general fertiliser, or, better still, pelleted poultry manure or a slow release fertiliser will also be beneficial.

To get them well established before they are put out, hanging baskets and other containers can be planted up in early May, as long as there is sufficient space inside to protect them until hardening off can begin later in the month.

Water plants well before carefully removing them from their trays or pots and, where necessary, separating them. Plant them carefully, siting and spacing them according to the directions on the seed packets. Finally firm them in well and water thoroughly. Any half-hardy annuals that have become rather lanky can be encouraged to produce more bushy growth by removing their tips at this stage.