beginner ' s corner
“ It may be necessary to bring the seedlings back inside each night until the overnight temperature increase or the plants become acclimated to the colder temperatures .”
Wind — Dry Air
Many seedlings and young plants get accustomed to a high humidity environment . When placed outdoors , the wind and dry air can quickly dry out the medium and / or the seedlings themselves . If there is a strong wind present when a gardener is hardening off his or her plants , it is a good idea to create some sort of wind block for the seedlings . Even with a wind block , the plants will still become acclimated to the ambient humidity and some air movement . Cold frames or mini hoop houses are valuable tools for the hardening off process and can offer additional wind protection for transitioning plants .
Temperature — Cold Nights
Many gardeners start the hardening off process when the night temperatures are still too cold for the seedlings . It may be necessary to bring the seedlings back inside each night until the overnight temperature increase or the plants become acclimated to the colder temperatures . Again , cold frames or other temporary structures that offer cover can be used to protect the seedlings from the lower night temperatures . Usually a week or so is enough time to acclimate the seedlings not only to the sunlight and wind , but also cooler temperatures .
That being said , the gardener has to have some awareness of his or her hardiness zone and his or her geographical area ’ s average last frost date . This information will give a horticulturist a good indication of when to start the hardening off process . Here is a list of the hardiness zones and the corresponding average last frost dates :
Zone 1 - June 15 Zone 2 - May 15 Zone 3 - May 15 Zone 4 - May 15 Zone 5 - April 15 Zone 6 - April 15 Zone 7 - April 1h Zone 8 - March 15 Zone 9 - February 15
122 grow cycle