Hardening off

**P* G* <e*@hamptons.com>**

I start thousands of seedlings indoors under lights, then harden them off in 
a small plastic-covered hoophouse. I drape 50 percent shade cloth over the 
top of the house, ventilate it in warm temperatures and close it up at night 
or when it's cool out. Shade cloth is available in several densities. 
Seedlings go from indoor fluorescent lights to shade-cloth-filtered daylight 
with no problems.
Peter Garnham
editor@hamptons.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <gardenwriters-request@lists.ibiblio.org>
To: <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 9:27 PM
Subject: gardenwriters Digest, Vol 103, Issue 20

> Send gardenwriters mailing list submissions to
> gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> gardenwriters-request@lists.ibiblio.org
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> gardenwriters-owner@lists.ibiblio.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of gardenwriters digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Hardening Off (Ann McCormick)
>   2. Re: Hardening Off (Rose Marie McGee)
>   3. Re: Hardening Off (loisdan@juno.com)
>   4. Hardening off (Edibleflowers1@aol.com)
>   5. Re: Hardening Off (Doreen Howard)
>   6. Re: Hardening Off (Nancy Szerlag)
>   7. Re: Hardening Off (Lisa at the Maine Garden Journal)
>   8. Re: Hardening Off (Duane Campbell)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:02:38 -0500
> From: "Ann McCormick" <ann@ann-mccormick.com>
> Subject: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: "'Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum'"
> <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID: <001601cc5c4f$73584c00$5a08e400$@com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:22:58 -0700
> From: Rose Marie McGee <rmnicholsmcgee@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: ann@ann-mccormick.com, Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers
> Forum <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID: <BD5A0CED-B8AF-4F48-9969-C1AA537911F4@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hello Ann,
> Actually I do harden off, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Brassicas 
> concern me less because of their planting times. It isn't only the 
> variation in temperature but getting your plants accustomed to UV light 
> and less humidity than in a greenhouse. Here at our nursery we move flats 
> outdoors into a shaded area, then increase sun for four to six days before 
> putting them on the sales bench. It's actually not that difficult for a 
> home gardener to just fill flats before transplanting and it does make a 
> difference in performance here in Western Oregon.
> Rose Marie Nichols McGee
> Nichols Garden Nursery
> www.NicholsGardenNursery.com
> On Aug 16, 2011, at 1:02 PM, Ann McCormick wrote:
>
>> 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?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:25:36 -0400
> From: loisdan@juno.com
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: ann@ann-mccormick.com,gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
> Message-ID: <20110816.162536.2232.2.loisdan@juno.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi Ann,
>
> I have one of those small portable 4-tier greenhouses on wheels from a
> big box store that cost about $40. I keep it out on the flagsstone porch,
> which acts as a heat sink. I move my seedlings out from under the grow
> lights when it's not yet quite frost-free. If freezing temps are
> predicted, I zip the greenhouse cover closed, otherwise I just drop it
> down. (Sometimes I add a sheet, if it's too cold). During the day, I
> leave the cover open in front, but down on the sides and back. This also
> comes in handy for holding over great-looking plants that are sold in the
> nurseries too early to survive outdoors. Haven't lost any plants yet.
>
> This is better than my old way of carrying everything inside at night and
> setting the plants on top of catalogues waiting to be recycled :-) .
>
> Regards,
> Lois
>
> Lois J. de Vries
> Visit: http://cultivatingtheinnergardener.blogspot.com
> Visit: http://loisdevries.blogspot.com
> On Twitter: http://twitter.com/loisdevries
> On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/loisjdevries
>
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat!
> http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:30:11 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Edibleflowers1@aol.com
> Subject: [GWL] Hardening off
> To: gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
> Message-ID: <401de.ed0247a.3b7c2d53@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> I'm a greenhouse grower and what we typically do is let the  plants wilt
> slightly about 2 weeks before putting them out.   One of  the greenhouse
> people from Ohio State talked about doing this several years ago  and it 
> works. I
> forget the reasoning behind it but I believe it shocks the plant  system 
> in
> some way that it actually strengthens it. Could be some kind of  hormone 
> or
> growth trigger. Of course you don't let them wilt beyond help but  rather
> skipping a day or two until they just start to wilt then water 
> thoroughly.
> denise
>
> "There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt  over your
> left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for  good
> luck, and fall in love whenever you can"
>
> "Practical  Magic"
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:33:27 -0500
> From: "Doreen Howard" <gardendiva@charter.net>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: <ann@ann-mccormick.com>, "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden
> Writers Forum" <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID: <00FCD507442D4A888703B44AE7EEC4E7@gardendiva>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> I put plants outside in the shade for a couple of days when nights are 
> above
> 40F for cold-hardy plants and above 50F for the rest.  In about three 
> days,
> I move them out to full sun.  About a week later, I plant.  These three
> steps aren't difficult, but it's important to make sure pots don't dry 
> out.
> Lack of moisture will stress small, developing root systems faster than
> temperature or light.
>
> I start hundreds of heirloom edibles and flowers from seed every spring
> indoors and have used this method of hardening off successfully for two
> decades in three climates, frigid Z 4b, ideal Z6a, and tropical Z 9b.
> Doreen Howard
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:06:41 -0400
> From: Nancy Szerlag <szerlag@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
> <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Cc: Nancy Szerlag <szerlag@earthlink.net>
> Message-ID: <DC8ADBA4-2CC9-490E-AB4E-4719DD69E752@earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
>
> I put my seedlings on a covered porch ( south facing) during the day
> and move them in at night for a couple of days.  Then they stay out
> if the nighttime temps co-operate. Wind is as much of an issue as
> sun.  A floating row cover helps if things get nasty while I'm away.
> Since every condition ( garden site ) varies, it's pretty hard to come
> up with a formula. I suggest folks go with a test run on a few throw
> aways and see what works or does not. That two hour stuff is nuts.  A
> maximum minium thermometer will help folks figure out how protected
> their protected area is, My front porch is a heat sink.  I live in
> Zone 5 and a Vitex is thriving on the east side. Yes!
> Nancy Szerlag
> On Aug 16, 2011, at 4:25 PM, loisdan@juno.com wrote:
>>>
>>> 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
>>>
>>>
>>
>> ____________________________________________________________
>> Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat!
>> http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210
>> _______________________________________________
>> gardenwriters mailing list
>> gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
>> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
>>
>> Post gardening questions/threads to
>> "Gardenwriters on Gardening" <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
>>
>> For GWL website and Wiki, go to
>> http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
>
> Nancy Szerlag
> Columnist for Detroit News
> szerlag@earthlink.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:17:52 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Lisa at the Maine Garden Journal <info@mainegardenjournal.com>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: "ann@ann-mccormick.com" <ann@ann-mccormick.com>, Garden Writers --
> GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID:
> <1313543872.49929.YahooMailNeo@web36501.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>gardenwriters mailing list
>>gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
>>http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
>>
>>Post gardening questions/threads to
>>"Gardenwriters on Gardening" <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
>>
>>For GWL website and Wiki, go to
>>http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
>>
>>
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:27:18 -0400
> From: "Duane Campbell" <dcamp911@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
> To: "Lisa at the Maine Garden Journal" <info@mainegardenjournal.com>,
> "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum"
> <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID: <51AF843008E44FBD824715912288A7EA@DuanePC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> To: ann@ann-mccormick.com ; Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers
> Forum
> Subject: Re: [GWL] Hardening Off
>
>>I believe that wind burn can be as much of an issue as exposure to direct
>>sunlight.
>
> Absolutely. Windburn and humidity. I don't do elaborate hardening off, but 
> I
> put transplants out under gallon plastic jugs with the bottom cut out and
> the cap off. Stops the wind, increases the humidity, and somewhat warms 
> the
> air around the plants. I've seen university studies that say this isn't
> helpful, but those professors have never been in my garden. After the two
> weeks a year when they are used, I just run a rope through the handles and
> hang them from the rafters in the garage.
>
>
> Duane Campbell
> Syndicated garden columnist
> Author: Best of Green Space; 30 Years of Composted Columns
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> gardenwriters mailing list
> gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
>
> GWL has searchable archives at:
> http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters
>
> If you have photos for GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they will
> show up at:  http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos
>
> End of gardenwriters Digest, Vol 103, Issue 20
> **********************************************
> 

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

Post gardening questions/threads to
"Gardenwriters on Gardening" <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters