Re: Hardening Off

**L* a* t* M* G* J* <i*@mainegardenjournal.com>**

I believe that wind burn can be as much of an issue as exposure to direct sunlight.   I start the hardening off process weeks before the seedlings ever go outside by directing oscillating fans at the plants.  I believe that this process creates stronger stems and tougher leaves.  When I do finally put the seedlings out on the deck, I place them in an area that receives sun for a few hoursa day but I'm no longer concerned about wind.  Over the next week, I slowly move the plants into a sunnier area of the deck until they receive sun all day long. I only bring seedlings in when night time temperatures dip below 40 degrees (Tomatoes and peppers come in when night time temps dip below 50 degrees)

Lisa Colburn
The Maine Garden Journal
Orono, ME  04473

>________________________________
>From: Ann McCormick <ann@ann-mccormick.com>
>To: 'Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum' <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 4:02 PM
>Subject: [GWL] Hardening Off
>
>I'm working on my next book and have come to the topic of hardening off. For
>years I've read about the "rain dance" that gardeners are urged to undergo
>to get their plants hardened off. Most of the advice starts with "Bring your
>plants outdoors each day for a couple of hours" and gradually increases the
>amount of time outdoors until the plant graduates to the outside world.
>
>Yes, I understand you can't just plunk plants outside without regard to the
>climate differences. But does anyone really do this process of slowly
>acclimatizing over 7-10 days? I have a hard time imagining professional
>growers going through this labor intensive process. And frankly, I haven't
>got the time or patience for this.
>
>So what do you-all do when bringing plants outside?
>
>Ann McCormick, Herb 'n Cowgirl
>Author of 10 Must-Have Herbs For Cooks, available at Amazon.com
>
>Web: www.ann-mccormick.com
>Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/herbncowgirl
>Twitter: @herbncowgirl
>
>
>
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