By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Hardening off is a step that many inexperienced gardeners skip as the “gardening bug” erupts as temperatures rise.

But this step is very crucial to a gardener’s success.

Hardening off is the process by which seedlings are gradually exposed to the outside environment.

Wind, temperature, and light intensity are all different outside then what the seedling is used to inside. If this step is skipped leaves get burned and the plant goes through unneeded stress that can cause death of your seedling. Hardening off is not a difficult process to fit into one’s busy schedule and in my personal opinion should take about 3 weeks total before you can safely leave them outside.

The schedule below should start Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

When it comes time to transfer your seedlings outside (whether to the ground or a container), you don’t want to just drop them out there all of a sudden into the elements without preparing them first.

This preparation is called hardening off—toughening up your baby plants so they can grow into big plants with fabulous tomatoes.

You want to get them used to the light, wind, and temperatures outside gradually before they make the big move.

Here are some common methods for hardening off your tomato plants: Read the rest of this entry »