Over the next few days, gradually increase the time outdoors by a 1-2 hours. Jan 27, 2019 - If you harden off seedlings, they'll be strong when transplanted and able to withstand full sun, light breezes, spring rains, and fluctuating temperatures. I'm hardening off some seedling to plant out soon, but it is still way too soon for the melons so they are just along for the ride! This is one of the down sides of a multi pot. Steps to Harden Off Your Transplants: 1. I should put them in their own pots - they are getting big enough. ”Harden off” your seeds before you transplant them outside. When a seedling is planted in a new growing position it experiences transplant shock. HARDENING OFF IS KEY . DO NOT OVER WATER SEEDLINGS! Through your own experimentation in your specific zone you'll come up with your personal technique for hardening off seedlings, but until then here's what I do: 1. Hardening off involves getting seedlings used to conditions outside gradually. Suddenly moving plants from a stable environment to one with wide variations in temperature, light and wind can seriously weaken plants. For most plants, start hardening off about a week before the final frost date for your area. One Way to Harden Off Seedlings. If you’re planting directly into the ground so that your plants’ root mass is covered by soil, this is the best way to protect your roots. Typically, germinating seeds are killed by the damping-off fungus prior to emerging from the ground, and older, more established plants are seldom affected. The amount of damage to seedlings depends on the particular fungus, soil moisture and temperature. Hardening off should take a minimum of a week and may take up to two. Hardening off should take a minimum of a week and may take up to two. I like to situate my seedlings on a patio table under an umbrella to shade them from the sun and shelter from rain. This typically spans about a week. Suddenly moving plants from a stable environment to one with wide variations in temperature, light and wind can seriously weaken plants. Once my seedlings get a few leaves, I then leave any covers off, and they naturally "harden off" with the fluctuations in heat during the day in their covered outdoor position. Damping off occurs in many types of soil and in various climates. Transplanting. Hardening also means getting plants that started indoors used to the heat and humidity of the outdoors. This can be reduced by: hardening off seedlings gradually; watering the plants … For most plants, start hardening off about a week before the final frost date for your area. Hardening Off. Take my little ones outdoors under a protected/covered area for a couple of hours to start a 7 to 14 day hardening off process. 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