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You ’ve spend fourth dimension , energy , and movement nurturing those veg , herb , and flush starting — and now it ’s time to introduce them to the bang-up outdoors . But before you move your seedling from your family or glasshouse into your garden — or , in horticulture lingo , transplant them!—you’ll need to indurate them off .
Hardening Off
Hardening off simply means gradually acclimating plants started indoors to the out-of-door elements — sunlight , wind , and rain — that they will face for the rest of the growing season . This significant step contract the chance of transplant shock and advertize healthy increment . And while harden off does n’t take a tidy sum of time , it does require some vigilance . During this full stop , your plants are getting uncompromising , make them better able to adapt to the vagaries of summertime conditions .
out-of-door temperatures should reach at least 45 degree Fahrenheit before you begin the solidifying - off process . Why ? quick - season crop like tomatoes and pepper , for deterrent example , can be weakened by temperature that are too cool . ( Check theUSDA Hardiness Zone Mapto get an estimation of when you might begin this process in your realm . ) When hardening off your industrial plant , be sure to stick to these steps :
put your seedlings outdoors for an hour or two in mid- to late - afternoon , in a spot that will protect them from direct wind and sun .
Seed Savers Exchange staff move hardened-off plants into the ground at Heritage Farm.
Lengthen outdoor clock time for your plants snatch by minute . Each twenty-four hours , leave your seedling alfresco for an hour more than you did the previous one , gradually exposing them to more sunlight and malarkey until they are able-bodied to spend an entire night out of doors .
Keep the land moist at all times during the set - off period .
Transplanting
Now that you ’ve hardened off your industrial plant , they ’re quick to graft . consort to theOld Farmers Almanac , “ transplanting ” means moving seedlings from pots inside to garden grime outside . When transplant , be certain to follow these dance step :
Prep your garden by undo the soil and remove any rocks and weed roots . Work in compost to enrich the grunge .
prefer an overcast twenty-four hour period to avoid intense sun , which can stress your seedlings .
Seed Savers Exchange staff move hardened-off plants into the ground at Heritage Farm.
Check your garden dirt . It should be moist but not soaking wet .
Dig a hole that ’s a bite bigger than the plant ’s root ball and gently loosen the roots before setting the plant into the fix . This helps encourage the developing of strong roots .
Place the plant into the hole at about the same deepness that it grew in its heap , being certain to spread over its roots with soil . pack down the dirt gently but securely . If your mood is very dry , distribute mulch around the seedling to inhibit moisture loss .
Check on your plants regularly and be trusted to keep the dirt moist while they are getting established in their new place .
Keep in intellect that the key to go your seedlings successfully into the great outdoors is taking your time . Do n’t rush the procedure , and shortly enough you will be reaping the reward of a beautiful and bountiful garden .
When you make a leverage from Seed Savers Exchange , you help fulfill our nonprofit mission to protect our food and garden inheritance . Do even more good by making a donation to serve us conserve and portion out even more heirloom varieties !
3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990
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Seed Savers Exchange is a taxation - exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organisation dedicated to the preservation of heirloom seed .
