hardening off

[yotetrapper]

This is where I run into problems. I work a crazy schedule. One day I might work 3pm till 1 am, then the next day 11am to 8pm, then the next day 5am to 2pm. This is an example, but I can and do work all those shifts each week. Finding time to harden off plants is hard. Do you have to harden off each day, or can you do it one day, not the next, but the day after, etc.? It's not easy to pack 100 4" pots in and out....

[dustdevil]

I got some plastic industrial cafeteria dishwasher trays of different sizes that hold some of my transplant pots...makes moving them easier and faster. The object is to keep them outside a little longer each day until they can stay out permanently. Give your husband/kids directions on how you want them outside/inside. This is where a coldframe could really help out. Unfortunately, to be safe, you really need to keep an eye on them to see how they are reacting...

[dustdevil]

PS: I forgot to mention that the dishwasher trays have sided compartments...you don't have to worry about transplants falling over when moving them. The ones for cups and glasses are very handy and easy to come by.

[Blueaussi]

It probably won't hurt the plants, it'll just extend your hardening off time period, though. Is there any way to create a spot with filtered sunlight outside? I keep the cover to an old portable cold frame from one of these.

http://www.gardeners.com/Cold-Frame-...efault,cp.html

The clear plastic dry rotted after many years, but the green webbing is still good. I use it to filter the midday and late afternoon sunlight getting to seedlings that I'm still hardening off.

[barkeater]

To solve that problem I use window screens propped up over my transplants. The first week or so they are doubled up to give appropriate shade. make sure the sides are covered too in the beginning.

Another option is the east side of a building or tree to start with, weather permitting. I used to put mine under a fir tree on the east side so they would only get morning sun at first. Those first days I made sure they were far enough under that they were in the shade around 11 am. I'd give them a little more exposure each day. However, if the weather turned cold, windy or rainy they stayed inside under the lights for the day.

[instar8]

You're a nurse, right?

I sometimes get stuck doing 12-hour shifts for days on end, so it's hardly worth dragging them out, it doesn't hurt to skip a day or two in my experience.

It often happens anyway that it's too cold, rainy, windy, whatever for a few days, even after they're pretty toughened up there's no reason to stress 'em when they're still portable.

[yotetrapper]

No, not a nurse, LOL. Restaurant management.

[mtbigfish]

yote
have you looked into costco has wire restaurant shelves 6 shelves with wheels 48"x18" by 72" tall with wheels around $79 - you can have your plants on trays or 1020's and roll them all out at once - depending on how many you have - I bought them for food shelves and backup supplies for the garage and took the wheels off then used the extra set of wheels and made 2 18"x48" by 36" tall carts (3 shelves each) both with wheels from one shelve - works great for bringing in groceries too - now though we have all three at 72 " w/o wheels on and I want to splurge on 24"x72" by 84" tall and use the wheels for them - get more 1020 trays per cart

Dennis

[yotetrapper]

That sure would be neat, Dennis. I never heard of costco, though. Might be something to look into though for sure!

[dustdevil]

Costco is a warehouse store like Sam's Club...usually found in big cities.