Hardening Off Your Plants
Why You Want to Harden Off Your Plants
• Prevents shock – gradually adjusts plants from indoor conditions to the outdoors.
• Stronger plants – builds thicker stems and tougher leaves.
• Reduces transplant stress – helps plants settle in faster after planting.
• Avoids sunburn – indoor-grown plants can scorch quickly in direct sun.
• Improves survival rate – less wilting, fewer losses after transplanting.
• Better growth – plants take off faster once established in the garden.
• Skip it and you’ll see it – plants can wilt, burn, stall out, or even die after transplanting.
How to Harden Off Your Plants
• Timing: Start 7–10 days before planting outdoors.
• Day 1–2: Place plants outside in a shaded, protected area for 1–2 hours, then bring back inside.
• Day 3–5: Gradually increase time outdoors and introduce some morning sun.
• Day 6–7: Leave plants out longer, including more direct sun exposure.
• Final days: Plants can stay outside all day and overnight if temperatures are mild (above 50°F).
• Wind protection: Start in a sheltered spot—wind can stress plants more than sun at first.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; plants may dry out faster outdoors.
• Watch the weather: Avoid hardening off during very cold, windy, or stormy days.
• Ready to plant: Leaves should look sturdy, not soft or floppy, and plants should handle full sun without wilting.