This is the earliest I've ever started hardening off tender annuals
mxk3 z5b_MI
14 days ago
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beesneeds
14 days agoCharles Kidder
14 days agoRelated Discussions
best containers to start annuals?
Comments (7)Aha. I use germination flats, as well. They are shallow trays (see attached link for picture) with drainage slots in them. The flats are filled (not to the rim, in my case) with a germination medium, and watered thoroughly with a misting nozzle. The proper watering nozzle will water without any disturbance of potting medium or seeds, seedlings. I then impress several rows with a straight-edge of some sort. Seeds are carefully put into the rows by using the seed packet as the utensil or by making the sower with a stiff piece of cardboard, folded in half to make a crease. Difficult to explain, but easy to do. The seeds are sown very close together in these rows. The object is to allow them to germinate quickly, then transplant them into the cell packs and a much coarser growing medium. I usually expect a couple of hundred or so seedlings per flat, depending upon the plant variety. I sow several different kinds of plants in each flat, carefully marking the beginning of that variety with a label. I'll typically do 2 germination flats. They'll be heated with heating cables that I place into the flats before adding the mix. Most people, I believe, use heat mats. Heat is very important for rapid germination. The seedlings are transplanted at a very early age. This process is also something that is difficult to describe, but easy to do. The seedlings can be picked up in clumps from their rows, and gingerly inserted into already prepared (filled, watered, and holes drilled) cell packs. The cell packs fit into the same liners I use as germination flats. I use either a 36 plant per sheet or a 48 plant per sheet size. Anyhow, that is (generally) the process that the seed pack mentioned. Sowing your seed directly into the cell packs is what many folks do, though at this late date, I would seriously think about planting your seed in situ. Here is a link that might be useful:...See MoreHardening off
Comments (13)Marcia, I don't have a cold frame, but do have one of those mini greenhouses. I too have more plants than I have space for, so I have been putting my plants in the greenhouse on cool mornings. I go to work so if they are not put outside in the morning, they stay indoors (and in poorer light) all day. One morning it was +2 at 8 a.m. and I threw the plants in the greenhouse where it was already 15C. In fact most days the temperature in there, in the sun, hits 27 or warmer. So, there I am rushing the plants from the room temperature house, through the cold morning air, to throw them in the semi-warm greenhouse. I also had some other geraniums that wouldn't fit in the greenhouse so I threw them on the back deck. Hey, it might only be 3C in the morning but the sun was shining with little to no wind, my reasoning is that the sun keeps the plant leaves warm until the air temperature has a chance to warm up a bit. By the way, my mini greenhouse not only gets warm, but also very humid. That might be a problem with some plants, but my banana and canna plants seem to love it. Glen...See MoreHardening off (annuals)
Comments (6)Do they have true leaves yet, Connie? Have you already planted them into bigger pots, or are you about to do that? Snaps can take a lot of cold! I always have some outside (they just come up all over the place) that are evergreen all winter. Sometimes plants that have bloomed that summer, and sometimes seedlings that have come up late summer. If theyÂve already been potted up for a few days or more, put them out in "some" sun today and then leave them out tonite (in a protected enough place that they wonÂt blow away!) covered with a single or double layer of old sheet. ItÂs only supposed to get into the low 40's, and if theyÂre covered a little, they should be fine. Tomorrow get them in more sun, and maybe cover them again for one more nite. Then put them in lots of sun and leave them out in your "protected place" without covering them. After that itÂs supposed to get colder again, so depending on how theyÂre looking after their introduction to the big wide world, and how cold itÂs supposed to get, either cover them again for a couple of the coldest nites, or just keep them against the house/in a corner/under a deckÂor somewhere that will ward off the coldest temps. I think after the first three nites out, they should be fine, but I donÂt know just how big they are or the other variables that could affect them. But they ARE very cold "resistant!" And, yeah, snaps are "annuals," but they fall into that strange class of annuals that tend to come back the next yearÂnot only from seed, but also some of the original plants will survive to "live another year!" Post if you have any questions and IÂll try to keep an eye on RMG and get back to you right away, but IÂm in the process of planning two unexpected road trips, so I might not see it till later. Will check in before bedtime if not before! When you plant them in the ground, put them where you want more! Wherever they are, youÂll get moreÂwhether you want them or not! Happy spring, Skybird P.S. Starting seedsÂand most other thingsÂarenÂt nearly as hard, OR scary, to do after you do them as they were before you did them! ItÂs all in the "trying" with gardeningÂas with most things in life!...See MoreI didn't harden off veggie transplants in new garden!
Comments (4)Singcharlene, I took a look at your weather forecast there in Castle Rock and after tonight's thunderstorms it just looks clear and HOT. If the storm doesn't adequately soak the ground, make sure your soil is good and wet. Dehydration is a major threat for your new plant starts. Then, sometime tomorrow you need to give those tender plants some protection from a very hot sun. The easiest way that I know of is to take a double page from the newspaper and pull it into a cone shape with the top open. Pin it to the ground with soil or rocks. You can leave it mostly open on the north side just make sure that it shades the plant thru the heat of midday. ThatÂs all you are trying to do  provide some shade. Night-time temperatures of 50 are really fine. If your plants came from outdoor racks at the garden center, you are ahead of the game but you can be sure that they havenÂt been out there long. Further, damage to the roots will make your 85 degree weather tough on them. Are you really at 6,400 feet?? The high altitude makes for an intensity of sunlight which is likely to burn your skin and your plants. Your garden will probably be fine but any babying you do for your plants at this young and tender age is likely to be worth the effort. HereÂs wishing you and yours the Best of Luck! Steve...See Morerosaprimula
14 days agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
13 days agomxk3 z5b_MI
13 days agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
13 days agomxk3 z5b_MI
13 days agorob333 (zone 7b)
13 days agolast modified: 13 days agorosaprimula
5 days agomxk3 z5b_MI
5 days ago
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