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Moving plants outdoors - when is too early to harden them off?

#1 · 27th January 2024, 9:07 am

Hi everyone, I’m Annie.
Am doing a large overhaul of the front garden, and got some tiny seedlings that already have grown massively. The bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis Alba) in my window sill that’s already a good 15cm… am wondering when it’s safe to shift it outside. Have started taking it outside daily to harden it (live in London) but wanted to ask how frost sensitive it might be. Any help would be amazing. Thanks

#2 · 27th January 2024, 4:49 pm

Hi @anniev

Great news that you're growing so much from seed for your garden, fantastic!

It's still too early to harden off any seedlings, as the March frost can still get them. What I would advise is keeping them indoors, or if you have a cold frame, pop them in there until the end of March. Then, plant them out somewhere shady; these plants thrive in dappled shade.

Bleeding hard is tough once established, but all seedlings are tender until they really get their roots in the ground.

If you want to find out more about potting on and hardening off this guide will help.