12/2/2023 0 Comments Hardening off seedlingsTrust me, I have learned this lesson the hard way! Your plants will thank you, you'll be happier with the results, and you wouldn't waste money by losing expensive plants. Hardening off your plants may seem like a tedious and time-consuming process, but it is actually easy and worth the effort. Hardening off will prevent shock that could set back or halt the plant's growth, prevent sunburn (scalding), and help your seedlings or young plants grow into healthy, vigorous adult plants. By gradually exposing them to the outside elements, they build up their defenses and have time to adapt to the new environment. Plants have a protective waxy coat on their leaves that helps to repel water, reduces the rate of dehydration, and protects them against harmful ultraviolet light.īut when seedlings have been grown indoors, they haven't fully developed this waxy coat. It's like having to go out during a cold winter's evening when you've been snuggling up under your favorite blanket in front of the fireplace. Causing distress to the plants or even killing them. When the plants are used to these pleasant and cozy conditions, moving them outside without any warning or weaning can cause transplant shock. They are also not much affected by wind, rain, and extreme temperature changes such as frost. Seedlings started indoors, whether in a greenhouse, on your windowsill, or under a grow light, are grown in the ideal conditions where you control the temperatures, the light, and moisture levels. By hardening off, you slowly expose your vegetables, fruits, and flowers to the outside elements to ensure their survival. Hardening off or acclimating is vital for gradually adjusting your seedlings to the outdoors when you are ready to transplant them.
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