Hardening off in a Hoop House

shiner · March 14, 2015

I have 70 transplants ( in 4.5" pots) sitting in two 2x8 raised beds with thick, semi clear plastic sheeting covering them, supported by pvc hoops, "covered wagon" style. The ends are open to allow air circulation. The forecast of the next 10 days is mostly cloudy with highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s with no danger of frost. They have been in their hoop house for 3 days already and look great. Normally I would move them indoors and outdoors depending on sunlight and nighttime lows, but I am going to be out of town for a week, starting in 5 days. I was wondering if , given the 10 day forecast, will the transplants be hardened off enough to endure total sunlight in 10 days?? The raised beds are situated where they will get 5-6 hours of direct sunlight this time of year. I live in south Arkansas , zone 8A. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Cole_Robbie · March 15, 2015

They're getting UV light already. I think they should be fine. The only time I have had a problem is going from indoors to full sun.

shiner · March 15, 2015

Thanks! That was the answer I was looking for. I have a friend who could take them in for me if necessary but moving several trays in and out of the sun and from under a carport in the morning is asking a lot. We have had two weeks of rain, ice and snow and I am behind schedule on getting my plants outside.

March 14, 2015	#1
shiner Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: arkansas Posts: 17	Hardening off in a Hoop House I have 70 transplants ( in 4.5" pots) sitting in two 2x8 raised beds with thick, semi clear plastic sheeting covering them, supported by pvc hoops, "covered wagon" style. The ends are open to allow air circulation. The forecast of the next 10 days is mostly cloudy with highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s with no danger of frost. They have been in their hoop house for 3 days already and look great. Normally I would move them indoors and outdoors depending on sunlight and nighttime lows, but I am going to be out of town for a week, starting in 5 days. I was wondering if , given the 10 day forecast, will the transplants be hardened off enough to endure total sunlight in 10 days?? The raised beds are situated where they will get 5-6 hours of direct sunlight this time of year. I live in south Arkansas , zone 8A. Thanks for any help you can offer!

March 15, 2015	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	They're getting UV light already. I think they should be fine. The only time I have had a problem is going from indoors to full sun.