![]() When they have managed to survive well for a few days outside in the full sun, they have now been hardened off. Remember to keep watering them well as they get more exposure to the sun. Keep doing this slowly, until you have reached a point where they are outside, in the sun for the full day. The next day, add on another 1 or 2 of sun, returning them to the sheltered area for the rest of their outside time. So day 4 would look like this: 6-8 hours outside, 2 hours in the sun and 6 hours in the sheltered shady area. Ideally, morning sun would be best, as it is a bit more gentle than blazing hot afternoon sun. Make sure they have been watered well before taking this step. Some brassica seedlings being introduced to the morning sun.Īfter 3 days of doing this in a sheltered area, pull them into a sunny spot, for an hour or two. The third day, a bit longer, 4-6 hours, etc. The second day, leave them outside in that sheltered spot a little longer, 3-5 hrs. I like to place them on my back deck, under the eaves, in a shady spot for the first few days. Making sure you weather is mild, is a good idea before you begin the hardening off process. Or you are having a massive downpour and they are not protected from it. Do not bring them out for their first day when it is 100 degrees. Ideally, the first day, bring your plants outside, into a sheltered, shady area for a couple of hours, say 2-3 hours. So just do your best! I will list my ideal method below, and just do your best to work in any amount that you can do. However, ANY hardening off you can do for the plants, is better than none. Hardening off plants ideally usually takes a week to 10 days or so, depending on your weather. Outside, start working on getting your slugs and snails under control where you plan to harden off your plants, and where you plan to plant them! If you don't, all that hard work can be gone overnight if your slug and snail population is out of control, which it usually is if you live in the PNW! Check out these Natural Slug and Snail Control Methods.Īssorted seedlings hardening off, waiting to be planted in the garden. If so, give the newly repotted plants at least a week or so to adjust in their new pot before beginning the hardening off process. Check and see if you need to repot them into larger pots before you begin the hardening off process. Lastly, don't let your seedlings get root bound. ![]() I like to leave my lights on for 16 hours and off for 8 hours at night. However, having the lights on a timer, and allowing the lights to go off at night, simulates the real world for the plants. It is not needed after the seeds germinate.ĭo not remove the grow lights that the plants are under, they need the lights, or they will get long and leggy which makes for a weaker plant. Using a fan simulates wind in the real world, and helps build stronger stems.ĭid you use a heat mat to germinate the seeds? If so, remove the heat mats a week or so before you plan to begin hardening them off outside. One thing I like to do is place a oscillating fan on my seedlings once they have germinated and I remove the dome lids off of the plant flats. OK, before you even begin hardening off your plants outside, there are a couple of things you can do inside to help them begin their adjustment to moving outside. What to do Before Hardening Off Your Seedlings Outdoors: So consider when you want to plant them and work backwards 2 weeks and then begin the process of hardening them off. Hardening seedlings off takes time and cannot be rushed! You should begin to harden off your seedlings 2 weeks before you want to plant them in the garden. Our Garden Harvest Tally Spreadsheet is now available! When Do I Harden Off My Seedlings? Our favorite gardening and homesteading equipment in our Amazon Shop! Seed Starting Schedule for Garden Zone 8b Seed Starting 101: Essential Seed Starting Equipment Other related articles you may be interested in:
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