Hardening Off Secrets (Q&A)

[@johnjude2685]

ATTENTION Gardener Scott A solution : I cut the sides from a grocery bag ( the strong cloth bags) keeping the sides with the handles Take them to lay my seedlings in a tray, making very easy carrying tote Super great for carrying a flat of seedlings

[@cherylmcnaughton7287]

Im sad I'll not see the live anymore - I have a new job and work during it

[@debrajones5305]

Congratulations on the new job! 👏 Thank goodness for replays.

[@closetprepper894]

I work full time so this is has been a challenge- I’ve been hardening off in the evenings- tonight I’ll put them in the ground and hope they don’t burn!

[@marthathompson2012]

We’ve done this when we have several days of heavy overcast skies and that essentially was a one-step hardening off. But if it’s too sunny-you might cover them with shade cloth or row cover.

[@DIGardening]

Sorry to miss the live. I need more education on this subject ❤

[@D4ni3773]

Wonderful chat! Great video!

[@ibster57]

It's in the 70's in NJ I started putting my plans outside on the deck in the shade about 1 1/2 hours.

[@DIGardening]

The wind here gets up to 25 to 30 mph regularly. Wind hardening and trellising is essential for most of my plants

[@mags9536]

It's very windy and wet in Scotland just now. Can't get on with any planting out. 😢

[@SAVbeebse]

I was just transplanting my pepper seedlings this past week or so. I was able to pot up about 70% of them before running out of time. I just finished transplanting the remaining 30% now about week or so later and the difference is huge: the earlier transplanted ones have completely taken off. Moving forward, I think I will pot up my seedlings as soon as possible after germination

[@KennyG233]

Hardening Off a spoiled indoor plant is important

[@theelpydimension]

Great, informative live as always. It's so easy to feel lazy and not want to drag your plants in and out but you are so right it is very necessary. I have burned plants a little and I have had them burnt bad enough to stunt their growth or even kill them. And great point that they're likely still getting bright sunlight even in the shade. Thanks for great start to this gardening week. I will add as well, don't get overzealous when hauling them out and carry more than your arms or tray can handle. Dropping all this little plants can be a real bummer.

[@cherylmcnaughton7287]

I grow in solo cups from beginning to ground and use a short clear Sterilite tote to both bottom water and make it easy to carry in and out

[@patricacompton9603]

My seedlings germinate in the house under lights on heat mats........then after germination i remove the heat mat.........then after about a week or 2 when they have 4 true leaves ........they move to my greenhouse and have a heater set on 60 degrees.....each 3 to 4 days the temp goes down another 2 degrees till it is to 45 degrees......then i turn off the heater completely and leave them for another week to adjust to the temps......after they are about 4 to 5 inches tall they start their hardening off period........ill bring them out for 2 hours on a overcast day,.......then 3 hours......4 hours.....5 hours........6 hours. Then after they have been out all day they spend a night outside........but if i see freezing temperature they go back in the greenhouse during the freezing temps.......then back out as long as it is above 39 degrees.......I have really good luck with my plants so far. The whole process from seed sow to planted out takes me a couple months.

[@LisadeKramer]

I got busy first thing this morning and missed your live show. Darn it. I have been having so much fun experimenting with my greenhouse. I have been taking my seedlings out every day to the greenhouse. I open the doors on both ends so they get the breeze. I started some cool flowers that may be ready for the garden this week. My tomatoes are just starting to sprout and my peppers are coming up nicely.

[@JessStChristopher]

Weather here in Cleveland is not yet conducive to hardening off yet.

[@waynesell3681]

Watching the replay. My peppers are at first true leaves in 72 cell tray. Question is should I wait for another set of leaves or up pot now? Going to a 3"peat pot.

[@GardenerScott]

I generally transplant as the second set appears.

[@waynesell3681]

@@GardenerScott thank you for that information. Will be doing soon.

[@ZorELE]

Gardener Scott…. I am looking for an all around, organic, and bee safe insecticide. Can you recommend anything???

[@GardenerScott]

I don't use insecticides, so there isn't one I recommend.