Is it time to plant out French beans ?

My Dwarf French bean seedlings are about 7 - 9 inch tall now, I have hardened off them outside for a couple of days, just wondering if it's time to plant them out in the veg bed in our garden, or it's still a bit early ? I live in West Yorkshire. I am new to vegetable gardening, any advice would be appreciated.

Frank

 

"I have hardened off them outside for a couple of days"

I think a week, at least, would be better. Bring them in at night, out for the day, in a sheltered spot.

They want to go out after your last frost. My last frost date, for the last half dozen years, has been 1st or 2nd week of May, but I still delay putting all the tender plants out until 1st June. Even if there are no frosts the cooler night temperatures slow the plants down.

My only exception is when something has simply grown too big to "hold".

Not sure about your last frost date, but look at MetCheck, or similar, for the weather for the week ahead will give you a bit of a guide:

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7days.asp

(you need to put your post code in)

Frost risk (but only for next couple of nights - the ABENSE of any Blue / Red "cones" on the graph is good!!)

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/frostrisk.asp

and gardeners forecast (easier to see night temperatures, but only for the next couple of nights :( ) in Hobbies - Gardening:

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/HOBBIES/gardening.asp

 

Thanks for the advice and the website, which is exactly what I was looking for.

 

If you don't find it too Nerdy!! this may help you decide when you last frost has been in the past:

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/last-frost-datei-20792.html?t=20792

 

BigfaceUK, I find Metcheck very reliable for forecasting sunshine and precipitation but hopelessly pessimistic on temperatures. If I believed them I would die of hypothermia.

Last frost is always a bit of a gamble. I kept good records in my last garden and for years last frost could be the end of May.
Then we had 10 years with no frost after the middle of May. Global warming and complacency planted out the courgettes - got a frost on the very last night of May. Fleece saved the day.

In short - for me, end of May is end of frost.