How do you harden off your seedlings?

Anniekay

Well-known member
Location
Quitman, Ga.
Hardiness zone
9a
I watched a video where this guy puts his seedlings out to harden off and leaves them all day as long as the temps are 50f or above, and in the low 70's for the high, AND, it is going to be overcast and not too breezy, for three days in a row. He says if it will be sunny one of those days he puts them in morning sun/ afternoon shade that day. He says he works so he can't run them in and out for an hour or two or more every day to harden them off and that he's been doing this for 5 years without any issues.

I have also put mine out for day one in morning sun, out of strong wind, well watered and done that two days in a row, then extended that to some strong sun the third day, then planted them in my raised beds with a cushion of straw or hay piled up around them to keep them from rocking too much in the wind.
I think I'm just too impatient, (not to mention lazy!!) 😄 and, I have a big table full of them to move and can't see myself running in and out, up and down steps, with tray after tray, day after day !!

How do you do it.?
 
I've got a small lean to greenhouse which is really a grow house on the back of the garage. It's made of aluminium and glass,It gets late morning sun and all through the day. I use that to harden off seedling and just open the sliding door when it's sunny. At first i leave the doors closed if it doesn't get hot.
 
I start with about an hour or two on the first day, then increase the time each day for a week, eventually leaving then out all day at the end. I have a spot where they will get equal amounts of sun and shade. But I don't plant until night time temps are no lower than 50 degrees. So if there is a freak cold front I may do this for up to 10 days or so. But as I start my plants indoors, I put a gentle fan on them during the day.
 
I start with about an hour or two on the first day, then increase the time each day for a week, eventually leaving then out all day at the end. I have a spot where they will get equal amounts of sun and shade. But I don't plant until night time temps are no lower than 50 degrees. So if there is a freak cold front I may do this for up to 10 days or so. But as I start my plants indoors, I put a gentle fan on them during the day.
That fan idea is a good one JD !! I have had that thought cross my mind and will probably try it with my next batch of seedlings.

The past couple days, since it's been around 70 degrees, I opened the window so they got fresh air but there wasn't much breeze to speak of.
 
Back
Top