Hardening Off Seedlings Before Planting Outdoors
Plants grown indoors must be gradually introduced to outdoor conditions. If seedlings are not hardened off, leaves may be burned by the intensity of the sun or damaged by wind. Acclimate plants by first placing them in a cool, protected location, such as a porch.
This first step in hardening off allows plants to adjust to outdoor temperatures. After 7 to 10 days, move seedlings into a shaded area of the garden for 2 to 3 days. This will prevent sunscald. Finally, hardened seedlings can be planted directly into the garden as weather permits. Planting on a cloudy day or late in the evening is a sensible precaution.
TIP: Harden off seedlings when four true leaves have formed. Use a 1/4 strength water-soluble fertilizer solution when the plants are transplanted into the garden. If you are tempted to rush the transition to outdoors, remember that herbs generally do not thrive in cold soil.
Transplanting Seedlings Into The Garden Soil
The garden soil should be adequately dry to prevent compaction. At this point, plants will again experience transplant shock and a setback in growth. Plants must adjust to dramatically different nutrient levels, soil temperatures, moisture levels and soil tilth in the garden.
Pull apart the lower portion of the root mass to get the roots growing outward. If seedlings have been grown in peat pots, pull apart the bottom of the pot and roots. Although seedlings planted in peat pots may be planted without removing the pot, be sure to maintain the same soil level. Trim away any of the pot that is above the soil line. The exposed portion of the peat pot acts as a wick and dries out the entire pot and roots.
