Here Is How You Can 'harden' Plants For Your Garden

Gardeners often grow their own plants from seed rather than buying seedlings.

This is a fairly simple process that requires minimal equipment. Within a few weeks, you should be able to grow seedlings the right size for planting in the garden, containers or raised beds.

Before you move your tender little seedlings into the garden, they need to be hardened off or acclimated to outside temperatures, sunlight, wind and other environmental factors. Plants taken directly from your greenhouse or garage into your garden are often scorched by the sun and wind and die or become severely stunted.

The hardening process, also called hardening, turns tender, succulent plants into durable plants with stronger stems and leaves that can withstand wind and sunlight. This process also encourages the development of scales on the surface of the leaves and stems, reducing water loss. When the grafts are the right size, move them to a shaded, sheltered outdoor area.

Local news: Henderson Police College investigates drug bust

Some treatment recommendations include:

Keep the grafts in the shade and gradually move them into the sun for short periods each day.
Do not transplant on windy days or temperatures below 45 degrees (including cool-season vegetables).
Transplant indoors at night for the first few days unless temperatures are very mild.
Reduce the frequency of watering, but do not allow the plants to dry out completely
Do not fertilize during the hardening period

The hardening off process should begin one to three weeks before your vegetable plants are ready to be planted in the garden. The time it takes for a plant to fully harden off before transplanting depends on the conditions in which it was grown. Do not harden in a hurry, because even if the graft takes root, growth and fruiting will slow down and yields will decrease. Let the condition of the plant help you.

Another way to harden the seedlings is to place them in a cold greenhouse. A cold frame is a simple structure that protects plants from the wind and uses the sun for heating. Cold frames allow the Sun to transfer energy through the atmosphere, where it can be stored as heat on Earth. The heat is released slowly during the night to keep the sows warm.

Above-ground cold framing is most often made of treated wood, although a permanent frame can be made of poured concrete blocks or stone. Previously, the lids were made of wood and glass, but today it is more a plexiglass or a double layer of transparent plastic. The double plastic creates a dead air space for extra insulation. The lid should be hinged for easy opening as a source of ventilation and temperature control. Place cold storage rooms away from trees, near a water source and facing south.

Adjust the cooling pad cover every few days to help the plants harden off. In mild sunny weather, it may be necessary to open the hood wider. When extreme cold temperatures are expected, bring the charms inside. Cold Strips can also be used for cool season crops (such as lettuce and radishes) that need to be harvested before the regular growing season begins. You can also extend the growing season into November or December by growing the same crops in cold storage.

When hardening is complete, your plants can be placed in the garden. Plant on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon and keep the plants in the shade for two to three days until they take shape. Even hardy plants may wilt the first time they are exposed to sunlight, although they usually recover within a few days. Keep plants moist as needed. Seedlings grown in peat pots or peat pellets can be planted directly in the garden. Cut the base of the peat pot to improve root penetration and drainage and remove the top edges of the pot that protrude above the soil line. These ridges can act as vanes that move water away from the root zone.