"Hardening Off"

"I don't want to go outside!"

Wow! When you hear a a couple of words like that you would think you need more than a six grade education to understand that one! But you don't have to be in the higher institutes of learning to understand what "Hardening off" is. All it is, is getting your plants accumulated to the outdoor temperatures. Remember they have been tucked in to a nice warm building, under warm grow lights, they have had a breeze blowing on them and all the water they can handle! Sounds like a vacation for me, how about you all? So here are a few quick tips on how to harden off.

Linked with:
Simply Made Home 
Homestead Revival 
My Simple Country Living 
The Morristribe Homestead 

1. Harden off gradually, so that seedlings become accustomed to strong sunlight, cool nights and less-frequent watering over a 7-10 day period.
2. On a mild day, start with 2-3 hours of sun in a sheltered location.
3. Protect seedlings from strong sun, wind, hard rain and cool temperatures.
4. Use an automatically opening cold frame, if you have one.
5. Increase exposure to sunlight a few additional hours at a time and gradually reduce frequency of watering, but do not allow seedlings to wilt. Avoid fertilizing.
6. Keep an eye on the weather and listen to the low temperature prediction. If temperatures below the crop's minimum are forecast, bring the plants indoors or close the cold frame and cover it with a blanket or other insulation.
7. Gradually increase exposure to cold.
8. After transplanting to the garden, use a weak fertilizer solution to get transplants growing again and to help avoid transplant shock.You can also use a cup of warm water to help with the transfer!