How to Harden Off Seedlings
2 Materials
$10
1 Week
Easy
Starting seedlings inside or buying them from a greenhouse means they'll have to toughen up before being planted outside. It's easy to do!
When to start? Begin the process of hardening off seedlings when the weather no longer holds the danger of frost. That will vary for each region, so be sure to check out The Farmer’s Almanac frost guide if you’re not sure.
Begin by placing your new plants in a shady spot outside for 2-3 hours the first day. (Direct sun outdoors is much more intense that a sunny place inside your home.)
Begin by placing your new plants in a shady spot outside for 2-3 hours the first day. (Direct sun outdoors is much more intense that a sunny place inside your home.)
Bring your plants in after their time outside, and be sure to keep their soil moist. Weather conditions outside may cause them to dry out a bit more quickly. Remember to water at the base of your seedlings, not the leaves.
Gradually add an hour of outside time each day, slowly exposing them to more sun. After 7 days of this gradual exposure to the weather, your plants should be toughened up and ready for transplant! This can be a transplant to your in-ground or raised bed garden or to an outdoor container.
Be sure in the days that follow that you check the moisture of your plants. You don’t want them drying out and all of your hard work going to waste. They don’t need to be doused, but be sure the soil doesn’t stay dry for long. Drying out between waterings isn’t a bad thing for most plants, but since these babies are just starting out, don’t let them go too long between waterings.
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2 comments
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I'm glad you shared this. I didn't know this!! Bless you guys. Thank you.
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I had no idea you had to do something like this before you transfer plants! Thanks for sharing!
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