To plant or not to plant

[applespearsbears]

I'm dithering, I've a number of perennial flower plugs waiting to go into two borders one heavy clay one enriched with compost.

Weather is...wet.. dismal but steady - so do I chance it and put them in or hold off?

I'd have thought it was quite good for planting them - no chance they'll dry out! Are you worried they'll drown? If so would mixing in some gravel be an idea?

It looks like no frosts down south until end of May. Not sure about up North. I would plant them out, using grit mixed with the clay. My French beans, tomatoes, strawberries, sweet peas and flowers are all out.
I do keep am eye out for frost. And covered all plants with fleece if too cold at night this past month.

I'm in Lancashire, DH checked the longer range forecast and no sign of frost.

Thanks all. I'm south west - how big would you say a plug needs to be to be planted out I can't find a definite guide. Guess I'm worried about slugs as well as frost

I've never done perennials from plugs. Slugs do sound much more likely to be a problem than anything else. I think I'd perhaps grow them on in a pot before planting out so they weren't tender snacks.

Yes I think you might be right, desperate to get them in the ground so will have to practice Gardner's patience

With plug plants I’d be more worried about Slugs and Snails too. If they are plants that don’t get eaten by slugs, they could go out. If not pot them on and wait until they are more substantial. I’ve got some that sit out in the day and come back in at night/or in my mini greenhouse thing when the slugs come out.

I’ve had a few things devoured by slugs recently. And sometimes just put out one plant as a test, to see if it is big and obviously horrible tasting enough to deter slugs.

How big are the plugs? I usually pot them into a 9cm pot when I get them and grow them on til they are sturdy enough to go out into the beds. Some plugs come with tiny roots so you might find that theyre too delicate yet.
Some plugs in my experience (perennials) will not flower the first year but year 2 they are doing well.

Yes you are both right and I put them straight into 9 cm pots hoping they'd spring to life but I think the lack of sun has slowed everything except the slugs fown!