hardening off in milk jugs

17 years ago

How do you harden off in a milk jug? Start cutting slits in it? Cut out the hole in the top and continuosly making it bigger? I've had broccili sprouts since before the cold snap and havent started the hardening off process. Our temps are supposed to reach above freezing and hopefully stay that way, for the most part. Might dip down at night. Who actually knows in Michigan. Anyways, the sprouts were fine thru the cold snap, didn't grow a whole lot, but stayed fine, now that it's a little warmer, they're falling over and laying down. I don't think they're even an inch high yet, my indoor ones that sprouted a week after the ws ones, are about 3-4 inches high. So should I start hardening off on the ws seedlings?

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Comments (9)

trudi_d
17 years ago
I just add more and more holes and move the jug closer to full sun if it isn't there already.

For comparison between indoor and WS seedlings, just dig them up and look at the root systems. WS seedlings usually have fabulous roots.
kek19
Original Author
17 years ago
Ok, I looked through the FAQ and couldn't find the answer, I'm probally blind though. How do you know when to start hardening off? Is it when the temps improve, when the sprouts are a certain size, or just once they've sprouted??
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bakemom_gw
17 years ago
For me, it depends. How's that for a terrible answer! The hardening off process with WS for me is very minimal - just a few days with lids off and marching towards the sun. However, with this prolonged period of sub freezing temps, I am just putting everything on hold. When it starts warming back up into nighttime highs in the 40s, I will simply remove the lids. Period. When the first set of leaves arrive, out they go into the ground.
vera_eastern_wa
17 years ago
All I do is remove the top...period. No cutting bigger holes, ect. As long as I know (either by research or experience) that this or that can handle light frosts then the covers come off and stay off. I surely wouldn't do that to frost tender seedlings like tomatoes or marigold.
Within 5 days after my cool season stuff were all sprouted (broccoli, mustard, arugula, collard, peas) the tops came off and have stayed off. The Flowering Kale never had covers at all....I just sowed the pony packs and set them out and they've all come up and are doing great. I treat perennials the same. Of course I'm talking when temps are at least consistantly 27+ overnight. I don't think I'd risk it much colder than that. BTW mine are in a SW location start to end.

Vera
kek19
Original Author
17 years ago
Ok, another stupid question. My broccili sprouts came up just before the cold snap, they made it through fine. But today I checked them, mind you it's been over 40-50 degrees the past few days, and low's of around 28 at night, and now they are turning brownish yellow. I haven't taken the lid off yet, and they are in a sunny spot, most of the day. Could I be cooking them??
mmqchdygg
17 years ago
When...sometime in Mid-July when it stops snowing is my guess...
kristal
17 years ago
If you want to reuse the milk jugs, then just prop the top half open wider and wider until it's time to take it off.
vera_eastern_wa
17 years ago
Dunno about the brown/yellowing of the broccoli, mine have been uncovered since they sprouted and they've been frosted a few times or 3...once at 27 and another at 31 (this morning) that I know. Their still doing well.

Vera
sheltieche
17 years ago
try uncovering them if they do not look happy...
I have few conditions for uncovering- first- seedlings have to look sturdy enough to face this world, not necessary big but sturdy. Second- I take tops off but will keep those containers in reasonably protected spot for next few days, letting seedlings to get used to wind. Third- no bad weather forecast for next 24 hrs, dipping slightly below 32 is ok since they are outside anyway/ of course make sure your seedlings are hardy varieties/

hardening off in milk jugs

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trudi_d

kek19
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hardening off in milk jugs

Comments (9)

trudi_d

kek19Original Author

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