Sweet pea advice - quickly if you please

[policywonk]

I have some sweet pea seedlings that are getting very leggy and starting to list a bit. Is it OK to plant them outside now? I've read somewhere that they are hardy. I'm in Surrey (and you're not).

TIA

Yes I would. They are pretty tough. You'll have nice early flowers.

I thank you.

I plant mine out about now but I protect them with some horticultural fleece at night (West Sussex). One year DH wrapped polythene sheeting around the bases of the wigwams but it looked awful (fussy emoticon)

pinch them out too so they get nice and bushy. (I AM in Surrey too!)

Thank you mehga. I've put my first lot out up against a trellis, but will do the wigwam thing with the remaining ones.

missingtheaction - I have heard of 'pinching out' but am afraid I have NO IDEA what it means. If you have the time/inclination to explain I'd be v. grateful.

Yes, Monty Don said to pinch out just above the sprouty but and not to plant them out yet.

Pinching out mean to cut off the main stem bit above where the top leaves sprout off

Monty Don is so dreamy.....

Only picture I could find:

www.chat.allotment.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=184318

Oh well it's too late for the first bit - I've already planted 'em.

Thanks for the explanation. When should I start pinching? They're only about six inches high, so presumably not yet?

How fantastic! Thank you very much. Mine aren't quite that leggy yet.

Do you carry on pinching then, or is it something that you do just the once?