Hardening off question

peebee · February 12, 2016

As many of you have heard, we here in CA are having a heat wave of sorts for this time of year, at least where I'm living near L.A. So my question is, do I even have to harden off my seedlings, when the temps inside my home are the same as the outdoors? I know that I would have to keep them out of direct sun for a while, but I don't see any benefit in keeping them inside. I have only a small south-facing window in my bedroom and will run out of room soon as I keep potting up.

A major downside to this heat is that the night temps are near 60 so they won't get the cool temps to make them bushy. I would normally keep them indoors during the day for warmth then put them outside on the patio table to chill a bit at night.

Thoughts?

Uncle Doss · February 12, 2016

hardening them off does more than just get them use to the temps. It also helps them build strength against wind and prepares them for more intense sunlight. I know you mentioned sunlight, and your temps are the same in and out, but I would still harden them off

kath · February 12, 2016

Agree with Uncle Doss about getting them accustomed to wind and sunlight gradually, especially if your weather is really hot now. Even after they're hardened off (10 days to 2 weeks), it's still wise to choose a calm, cloudy day for transplanting. Don't worry about cold temps at this point but keeping them outdoors at 60 degrees overnight will help as soon as they're tough enough to be able to handle it.

Worth1 · February 12, 2016

Mine have been outside almost from the get go.
And brought in at night to raise the soil temperature so They would grow.
Nothing leggy about them at all.
The main reason for hardening off is to get used to UV light the sooner the better.
I never have had to harden off but one time.
Worth

AlittleSalt · February 13, 2016

Peebee, I agree with everyone else. Getting plants used to the sun and wind is the key.

Dutch · February 13, 2016

Hi Peebee,
Yep, UV rays from sunlight and wind, I believe are the two main reasons most garden plants that are started inside or sheltered, should be conditioned or harden off before being planted outside.
Dutch

Gardeneer · February 13, 2016

Hardening off is just introducing the plants to the elements in a gradual manner so they won't get sudden shock from sudden change. In my climate it is the cold that matters most. Wind sunshine are not concerns In SoCal now you are talking about heat. That is easier to deal with than cold , just keep them under INdirect light, keep them well watered. Then you can increase the amount of direct sun exposure gradually for few hours a day.

Gardeneer

peebee · February 14, 2016

So if hardening off means to get them used to the wind and sunlight, and I have them outdoors all day and night under a canopy w/ no direct sun but lots of bright light, wouldn't that be safe? We hardly get any wind, and when we do there it is forecast in the weather reports which I follow religiously every day.
I repotted a bunch more today but they are indoors tonight. I think I will experiment and leave just a couple out from tomorrow. The temps are expected to go down quite a bit by next Thurs. and I will bring them in the night before.

Gardeneer · February 14, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee

So if hardening off means to get them used to the wind and sunlight, and I have them outdoors all day and night under a canopy w/ no direct sun but lots of bright light, wouldn't that be safe? We hardly get any wind, and when we do there it is forecast in the weather reports which I follow religiously every day.
I repotted a bunch more today but they are indoors tonight. I think I will experiment and leave just a couple out from tomorrow. The temps are expected to go down quite a bit by next Thurs. and I will bring them in the night before.

I wouldn't worry about the winds much. When I plant out I insert a small stick, bamboo next to the new transplant and tie it just to hold the balance for a while.This is in addition to that mains stake, a little away from the plant.

About Leaving out side :
If you night temps are 50F to 60F, there is ZERO risk. Actually that should be what you want the plants get used to . When I am hardening of , it can get down to 40s at night, sometime. If the forecast call for 30s then I shelter them.

February 12, 2016	#1
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	Hardening off question As many of you have heard, we here in CA are having a heat wave of sorts for this time of year, at least where I'm living near L.A. So my question is, do I even have to harden off my seedlings, when the temps inside my home are the same as the outdoors? I know that I would have to keep them out of direct sun for a while, but I don't see any benefit in keeping them inside. I have only a small south-facing window in my bedroom and will run out of room soon as I keep potting up. A major downside to this heat is that the night temps are near 60 so they won't get the cool temps to make them bushy. I would normally keep them indoors during the day for warmth then put them outside on the patio table to chill a bit at night. Thoughts?

February 12, 2016	#2
Uncle Doss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: zone 5b/6a Posts: 134	hardening them off does more than just get them use to the temps. It also helps them build strength against wind and prepares them for more intense sunlight. I know you mentioned sunlight, and your temps are the same in and out, but I would still harden them off __________________ Anything in life worth doing is worth over-doing. Moderation is for cowards.

February 13, 2016	#6
Dutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: S.E. Wisconsin Zone 5b Posts: 1,831	Hi Peebee, Yep, UV rays from sunlight and wind, I believe are the two main reasons most garden plants that are started inside or sheltered, should be conditioned or harden off before being planted outside. Dutch __________________ "Discretion is the better part of valor" Charles Churchill The intuitive mind is a gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. But we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. (paraphrased) Albert Einstein I come from a long line of sod busters, spanning back several centuries.

February 12, 2016	#3
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Agree with Uncle Doss about getting them accustomed to wind and sunlight gradually, especially if your weather is really hot now. Even after they're hardened off (10 days to 2 weeks), it's still wise to choose a calm, cloudy day for transplanting. Don't worry about cold temps at this point but keeping them outdoors at 60 degrees overnight will help as soon as they're tough enough to be able to handle it.

February 12, 2016	#4
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Mine have been outside almost from the get go. And brought in at night to raise the soil temperature so They would grow. Nothing leggy about them at all. The main reason for hardening off is to get used to UV light the sooner the better. I never have had to harden off but one time. Worth

February 13, 2016	#5
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Peebee, I agree with everyone else. Getting plants used to the sun and wind is the key.

February 13, 2016	#7
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	Hardening off is just introducing the plants to the elements in a gradual manner so they won't get sudden shock from sudden change. In my climate it is the cold that matters most. Wind sunshine are not concerns In SoCal now you are talking about heat. That is easier to deal with than cold , just keep them under INdirect light, keep them well watered. Then you can increase the amount of direct sun exposure gradually for few hours a day. Gardeneer

February 14, 2016	#8
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	So if hardening off means to get them used to the wind and sunlight, and I have them outdoors all day and night under a canopy w/ no direct sun but lots of bright light, wouldn't that be safe? We hardly get any wind, and when we do there it is forecast in the weather reports which I follow religiously every day. I repotted a bunch more today but they are indoors tonight. I think I will experiment and leave just a couple out from tomorrow. The temps are expected to go down quite a bit by next Thurs. and I will bring them in the night before.