Planting out geraniums

[user1492797387]

I grew some geraniums from seed and planted them out today because I was doing other jobs in the garden and thought I might as well. I'm now wondering if it's too early for them to be out? I've just been out and covered them (neighbours probably think I've lost it, tucking in the plants ) as it would be awkward to bring them in now.
So, am I a terrible gardener? Will they be ok?

[Nomoocluck]

I'm not great at gardening but mine are have started producing new leaves after being dormant over winter so I'd imagine that it's fine. They are really really hardy. Thinking of putting another one in as they are so low maintenance yet colourful.

[BarchesterFlowers]

Everything of mine is under glass, with a heater below 5 degrees. The forecast here (north) is down to 1 degree a couple of nights after the weekend.

[FATEdestiny]

I think I would find it pretty impossible to kill the geraniums in my garden.

They are incredibly hardy.

[ThePregosaurus]

Hmm ok, hopefully they'll be ok then! I'm in the South but will keep an eye on the temperature.
Thank you for the replies!

[Numberonecook]

very hardy and should be ok outside. One tip i will offer though is plant in pots and sink into the ground where you want them. Depending on what type you have their roots shoot everywhere can can be quite invasive, i learnt this the hard way digging out 100s of plants smothering everything else.

[MrTurtleLikesKisses]

That's a great tip, thank you! The garden has been neglected for a long time I think (moved in last year) so trying to make some improvements this year.

[AnarchyKitty]

I grow mine in tubs and bring them into the boiler shed and the smaller ones in the house all winter. I'm keeping mine inside till end of May (They are my PFB) as it's forecast snow on Tuesday where I am.

[MrTurtleLikesKisses]

I've seen a news report this morning about freezing temperatures next week here too so I might have to just get them in.

[sunnyhills]

user are you referring to hardy geraniums like this www.plantsforshade.co.uk/acatalog/Geranium.html or these ones www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=338 ?

I'm probably demonstrating how little I know ,maybe you can't grow the pelargonium ones from seed !

I'm v interested in all this planting out and hardening off malarkey as I've been growing on some teeny plug plants . I don't want to have to pot them on again and I'm anxiously waiting for it to be warm enough to plant out in SE London .

[MrTurtleLikesKisses]

I don't know much about all this either. I bought a packet of seeds called "Geranium Early Mix" so I have no idea. Sorry!

[BarchesterFlowers]

They are not hardy (well I googled your description) and they don't appear to be.

The blurb on those that came up says ...

Will not tolerate unheated greenhouses in early spring.
Once germinated reduce the temperature provided and thin to individual pots when large enough to handle.
Grow on under cover and slowly harden off to outside conditions after all danger of frost has passed.

[sunnyhills]

Barchester - which ones aren't hardy ? I'm getting confused here - no change there

[BarchesterFlowers]

Sorry, I was referring to mrturtle's Geranium early mix.

I am fairly cautious where late frosts are concerned though, even my new hardy geraniums and pelargoniums stay under glass.

It was chilly here last night, 4.7 degrees.

[Iamastonished]

No way. Night time temperatures round here for next week are 0, 0, -1 (South Yorkshire)

[Beelzebop]

It is predicted to give frosts next week, Tues and Wednesday. I would wait.

[MrTurtleLikesKisses]

They're back in! Will try again in mid-May. Thanks for all your replies!

[BarchesterFlowers]

Sorry turtle! I know you grew your own but I do often wonder if garden centres advise the people giving them £ in early spring that if they can't keep things under glass/warm enough they are wasting their money.

[Iamastonished]

Our local, family run, garden centre is always happy to advise when to plant out and when not to.

[MrTurtleLikesKisses]

Well if I hadn't have done this, I wouldn't have learnt. I'll remember this every year now and be a little more patient.

[Mermaidinthesea123]

My annual geraniums usually survive 2 winters down south before curling up their toes so they should be ok.

[Iamastonished]

Mine wouldn't. It gets too cold up here for geraniums to get through a winter.

[BarchesterFlowers]

It was minus 3.7 here last night .

[shellhider]

Ours are out year round and they are taking over the garden.

[BarchesterFlowers]

What type and where do you live?

[skerrywind]

OP where are you?

No geraniums would live in my garden all year around.

Indoor planted ones will need gradual hardening off outside.