How to Harden Off Seedling Plants
You decided to grow your own vegetable plants for the garden. Now you have to prepare those seedlings for the harsh conditions of the outdoors. No more controlled heat, water and light for the little guys. It's time to harden off the seedling plants. Harden off means acclimating the new plants to the temperatures, sunlight and moisture conditions typically found in the garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Move the seedlings outdoors for about two hours when daytime temperatures are in the 60s or higher. Place the seedlings in a shady area of the garden while outside. Direct sunlight can kill a young plant.
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Bring the seedlings back indoors and place them back in their position inside. If you have a heat mat, make sure it is off unless nighttime temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Increase the time spent outdoors by about an hour each day. Decrease the watering schedule each day as well. The plant must become less dependent upon your nurturing.
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Accustom the plants to the natural sunlight by gradually moving the containers into the sunny areas of the garden. You may wish to allow half an hour of direct sunlight and increase the time each day. Watch for signs of wilting and move the plants back into the shade if this occurs.
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Acclimate the seedlings to the nighttime air and temperatures after the seventh day by keeping the seedlings outside after sunset for a period of about an hour. Do this only when the night temperatures remain above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Continue hardening off the seedlings for 7 to 10 days, until the plants remain outdoors overnight. Transplant into the garden in the desired location.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using fertilizer when hardening off seedlings. Fertilizer promotes new growth that could be damaged from the hardening process.
References
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