How to harden seedlings before planting: tips from experienced gardeners

With the onset of the warm season comes the time to plant seedlings in the open ground. However, you can't send plants into harsh outdoor conditions without preparation, because they may not survive it.

Hardening seedlings is an important step that will help them adapt to new conditions. Agro Market told us how to properly prepare plants before planting them in the garden.

The Ukrainian climate in most regions does not allow growing crops outdoors. That's why many gardeners use the seedling method, but sooner or later, plants will still have to be planted in new conditions. The main thing is to do it correctly so that the unfavorable environment does not spoil the future harvest.

When to start hardening plants

Approximately 10-15 days before planting seedlings in open ground, you need to start hardening the seedlings. At this point, for example, tomatoes should already have 4-6 true leaves, and cucumbers should have 2-3. For other plants, including ornamental ones, this figure may vary.

Heat-loving crops can be hardened at an air temperature of 12-14 degrees, and cold-resistant crops at 8-10 degrees.

How to harden seedlings

Take the seedlings and start taking them outside for a while. Each time, increase the time the plants spend outdoors by 1-3 hours.

At first, do not place the seedlings where they will be exposed to direct sunlight. It is better to place it in the shade of trees, or make a shelter from the sun from improvised materials.

At the end of the hardening process, the plants can be left outside for the whole day.

After they have spent the night outdoors 2-3 times, they can be planted in open ground.

If you grow seedlings in a greenhouse or greenhouse, you can harden them right there by opening the doors for ventilation.

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