Quote:
Originally Posted by david623
Oops! What on earth does it mean to harden off a seedling?
Dave  |
Seedlings started indoors under lights are "hardened off" by gradually conditioning them to the outdoors. In New Jersey (where I'm also from) that would mean the cool spring temps, wind and sun. In Arizona, it would mean your blazing sun. Over the course of about a week they are put outside--first in shade, then a few more minutes each day in sunshine until the leaves can take full sun all day.
If you purchased your seedlings from a garden center they are probably already hardened off. Or, since you have warm weather year round, maybe your seeds are started outdoors to begin with.