Garden season is here! Whether you are going to plant some early garden plants at this time, or wait until later in May, when we can start transplanting warm season plants, successfully hardening off your transplants helps them make the big transition to full sun and wind!
You'll want to transition your plants over several days to a week, depending on goals, environmental conditions and time you have to manage and plant. A week is a nice amount of time.
Don't overcomplicate it, but DO make sure you've prepped your plants some, to go in the ground, to reduce the risk of transplant shock.
Start by introducing your plants to full sun and wind.
For the first day outside water well and place out in the sun for only 1-3 hours. You could place them in a fully sunny area, then take back in after that time has passed, or place in an area that will begin to get shade after that amount of time. If you're going to be gone all day and can't tend to it, perhaps place in dappled sun. Avoid days that are excessively windy.
I have a nice space on the East side of a building where I like to set them, where they are a little protected from the wind and get shade after midday. I have a small trailer with sides I sometimes like to use, as they can get full sun, but have some wind protection; I used to roll this in and out of the garage. We also have a smaller greenhouse-ish structure that keeps plants out of the wind, but can help to acclimate to temps. Everyone's system will look different! Make sure to keep plants protected from critters, and chickens, and locate them close to water.
You can gradually increase the amount of sun each day, an hour or so a day. You can do this for a few days, or a week, until you have worked your plants up to a full day in the sun.
Add in nights.
After a few days in the sun start leaving the plants outside overnight. Make sure plants at least get a couple nights outside before transplanting. You may want to bring in the night before transplanting to give them a break before the big day. Make sure they continue to be protected from wind. (Can you tell wind is an issue here?)
Keep in mind the needs of your individual plants. Are they cool or warm season? Some plants do not want to be exposed to nights below 50, as it could stunt or alter their growth. Some plants that can take some frost in the fall do not like it in the spring.
Water as needed, but don't baby.
Water your plants as they look like they need to be watered, but you don't need to keep them damp the whole time. Hardening off means we want our plants to be hardy!
Plant those babies out!
When the day comes to transplant make sure to do it in a cool part of the day, on a day that is relatively calm. Early morning is ideal, or after the heat of the day. Water in well and keep watered well as they establish.
Inevitably, you may end up with some leaves that turn whiteish (sunburn), or some of the larger leaves may die. This is just par for the course. Watch for the new growth to come on!
Keeping your transplants protected from wind while they are little is helpful, some folks use cans, which can work nice, but keep an eye on them, as they can also hotbox little plants.
A couple other items that may help reduce transplant shock...using a fan with your bedding plants, prior to transplanting, can help toughen up stems, simulating wind...and don't allow plants to become too rootbound in their smaller pots.
We'll have garden transplants at Shellee's Greenhouse, Madelia, again this year! Watch for a listing of plants - heirloom tomatoes, brassicas, jalapenos, cucumbers, celery and more. We'll have a smaller selection of items available at the farm store. Certified Organic garden transplants to nourish your garden and family!
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| Brooke and Leo delivering plants to Shellee! |
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