moving peas and cabbages into raised bed

risin

Hi everyone,
How big should peas, parsnips and cabbages be in order to move them from their trays to the veg bed.
The peas are in seed trays, the parsnips in loo rolls and the cabbages are in modules. The peas are the most advanced, at about three inches tall.

....just want to be sure I dont leave things in trays too long or move them too early either!!!! Smile

Thanks
Risin

sainttoff · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:26 am Post subject:

your better off planting parsnips in the ground when frosty as they give a better taste. The others i dont know

ian · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 2:11 pm Post subject:

wait for a few days i hear frost is forcast for thursday next

Macy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 33

risin · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject:

I will hold off till after this bad spell, I think next Monday there will a change again...

I am worried that the peas wont be getting enough root space in the seed tray to support their leaves. My plot is still covered with a plastic cloche ....if that effects the decision as to whether they can be moved...!!

Risin

OffalyGoodLife · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:48 pm Post subject:

If your plot is covered in plastic, it should be okay to plant out the peas and cabbages (provided there is some decent weather forecast). However, if the seedlings are currently in seed-trays, it may be an idea to transplant them into pots to allow the plants (especially the roots) to deveop a little more before finally planting them out. We usually do this for cabbages - raise them as seed in the greenhouse, transplant them into 2.5" pots and harden them off in the cold frame, then plant them out in the bed once the roots start to show at the bottome of the pots. The peas usually get put into pots (or equivalent - see the website in my signature below) from the word go. Ours probably need planted out now, but the bed isn't ready for them yet, so they're going to have to make do with some cramped conditions for the next couple of weeks. Regards parsnips, the feeling would be to get them in the ground as soon as possible - better to see rooted veg in situ asap to allow the rots to develop without being mucked about.

michael brenock · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject:

you could still sow parsnip seeds rather than trying to transplant them. peas are quite hardy at this time of year and could be planted out. cabbages are not as hardy and should be hardened off.
michael brenock horticultural advisor(retired)

risin · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:06 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice, its great for us newbies.
I am off work from thursday for easter so I will have plenty of time to transfer the seedlings to bigger pots.

as an aside, the peas I sowed in guttering and placed on the bed under a plastic cloche are doing better than the ones I sowed in a seed tray in my plastic homemade greenhouse. The gutter ones probably get a bit more light as there is nothing above them...

Risin