Can I plant these out yet?

[EssentialHummus]

Photos hopefully attached. Can these courgettes be put out into raised beds yet, in terms of size and temperature (London)? I understand that they need a few hours out daily first to acclimatise, is that right?

Picks of lettuce seedlings too, and the same question. I assume they need much longer, but the advice online seems to suggest planting out at this stage - is that right?

They are too small to plant out

I'd leave them until they're bigger as otherwise the slugs and snails will feast on your hard work.

Unfortunately we still gets frost up to May , if you plant them out they will sulk because they are tiddlers and need warmth to bulk up. They need a few more leaves too.

No, they have only just put out their first leaves.

They really do like the warm weather, so if you have a hot dry day, bring them out during the day, and back in the evening, until 1) your area's frosts are over and 2) they have a few more leaves and have bulked up a wee bit.

If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, from after the first week in May (assuming you're south of Brum or not in a frost pocket, they can live and overnight there before planting out) South of Leeds give it another few days or so, Scotland upto the Central belt, late May-early June depending how high you are ... and so on.

They will be hungry wee blighters from now on and will need weekly feeds (comfrey or nettle tea organic or Miracle-grow, etc if not). Good luck and happy gardening

My health has taken a downturn over the last few years and I'm limited to what I can grow now - in pots at the moment as the garden floods - I am so envious of all you veg-plot owners!

Thank you everyone. Lily sorry to hear about your health. This is my first year growing veg (and second year with a garden) so it is all trial and error, but seeing what the courgettes are up to first thing in the morning is becoming addictive .

EssentialHummus, Thank you for your kind words.

Enjoy your veggy plot, you'll never lose the delight of seeing new plants come up and how they grow (and just how fast courgettes grow once the warm weather is in!). It can be frustrating at times, but once the bug has bitten you, you just can't stop!

Whatever one's health, I believe where there's a will, there's a way when it comes to gardening. I grow herbs, salads and summer veg in pots where I can to get my fix.

Sadly it's too wet and I can't dig any more here to grow beans and such amongst the flower beds - but I love the idea of Cavolo Nero kale as an, ahem, 'specimen plant' and and I get moaned at for growing ruby chard in the flower bed as I'm the only one who eats it.