[galwaybeginner]

I have a lot of seedlings growing around the house in preparation for growing in my tunnel.

What I don't know is when I can start to harden off, and how long to make that process for different vegetables.

Specifically -
Tomatoes
Courgettes
Sweetcorn
Chilis
Peppers
Runner beans
Broccoli
Sprouts

With the cold snap at the moment I am not sure if I should hold off a few weeks?

Some of the toms are getting quite big and I'm worried they will suffer if not planted out. They are already in quite large pots (maybe 9 inch diameter I think), and the courgettes are growing like mad too, but I know it's too soon for them.

Would anyone be able to give me a rough idea of when to start each plant hardening off, and what sort of times to give them outdoor each day?

Many thanks!

[michael brenock]

there is no big problem moving out plants from the house now to a polytunnel but moving them to open ground is much harder. When you move them to the polytunnel cover them at night with newspapers on cold nights. Most polytunnels would have retained enough heat to keep frost out from now on.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[galwaybeginner]

Thanks Michael. As always, a great help.

On the same thing - is there much difference between taking them out to the bench or planting in soil beds in the tunnel?