Each day, increase the amount of light and the total time spent outside by 1-2 hours.Protection from the sun can be the dappled shade of a tree, the awning of a porch, an open garage, or a shade cloth you have suspended over them. Start by placing your transplants outdoors for an hour in this protected spot before returning them indoors. ![]() Choose a spot outdoors that is shady and shielded from heavy wind.Keeping plants in a wagon or other wheeled container will make this process simpler. If you miss a day, continue when you can. Keep in mind that this is a general guide to hardening plants. Temperatures below 50 F can stunt some warm season crops such as melons. Warm season vegetable seedlings should not be exposed to freezing or near freezing temperatures and grow best when the nights are at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Photo by Gerald Holmes, Strawberry Center, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, .īegin hardening off seven to 10 days before your area’s frost-free date. ![]() Sun damage on the leaf tips of recently transplanted pepper plants. The goal of hardening off is to help your plants adapt to their new garden home without stress. Tender seedlings that suddenly transition to colder or hotter temperatures may become stunted, experience leaf discoloration or die. An indoor-grown plant thrust into full sun may wilt or have tissue browning on the leaves. Rapid swings between climate extremes, even if within its ideal range, can lead to damage and stress. Each plant species has an ideal range for light, temperature and moisture level. While vegetable transplants can eventually thrive in a sunny spot in your yard or patio, you will increase your chances of success by gradually easing them into your garden conditions. Indoor plants are not adapted to outdoor climate conditions and rely on their gardener to help them transition to light, heat and wind of the outdoor garden. ![]() Vegetable transplants are started indoors before the frost-free date to protect them from climate extremes outdoors. Gardeners using vegetable transplants should plan for the process of hardening off their seedlings to outdoor conditions. As we approach May and June frost-free dates across Michigan, it is time to prepare for transplanting warm season vegetable plants such tomatoes, peppers and squash that do not tolerate frost.
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