skip to main content

Hardening off Marigold Seedlings

nutsaboutflowers

13 years ago

I planted, for the first time ever, my own marigolds from seed in the house.

I took them outside with me for a while on May 22nd hoping to start hardening off, but then we all know what the weather did after that. They've been inside ever since.

So, now that the weather is supposed to be nicer, they came out in the shade today for a while.

Do marigolds need at least 7 days to harden off after growing indoors, or are they more tolerant more quickly? I'm running low on patience wanting to plant before fall comes! I've also asked on the growing from seed forum, but most people there are in a much nicer climate and I'm thinking things may be a little different in 2b.

Thanks =:)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

marciaz3 Tropical 3 Northwestern Ontario
13 years ago
What are your temperatures there now? If they're in the 20s and not too cold at night, i'd just stick them out there. Do you have a cold frame you could put them in? That's where most of my seedlings hardened off.
northspruce
13 years ago
Agreeing with Marcia.

One thing you need to know when you're planting out marigolds, is to really spread their roots out and loosen the soil they're being planted in. At one time I would plant marigolds from little pots, and they would just sit there all summer never getting any bigger. Then I started direct sowing them and they were like gigantic marigold trees. I figured out (with help from GWers) that if their roots are wound up in the pot they never really figure out to branch out on their own. If they're direct sowed they develop normally. Funny thing about marigolds. I also find they like fertilizer a lot.
Related Discussions
do my seedlings need to be hardened off?
Q
Comments (1)
If they have been outside since they came up - then they are already acclimatized - no worries.
...See More
Hardening Off Seedlings IN Garden?
Q
Comments (4)
Thank you so much for your responses! Linda, I love the idea of using plant pots and I happen to have some extras laying around the potting shed that I could use for this! Deer eating them is unlikely but not impossible. I was actually wondering if I should do the cayenne and water spray to keep them from being delicious until they're bigger. Dave, I'm planning on the plastic bags being just on the tops of the tomato cages to shade them from the hottest sun right now, sort of like a little parasol or something. :) I have some black gardening fabric, but I was afraid that the black would make it too hot under the cover, so that was why I was thinking I'd do the plastic bags. I'll get them out in the garden probably tonight and get all my stuff rigged up and if I remember I'll take a picture so I can show you my handiwork. :) Thanks again for your responses! Jessica
...See More
Hardening Off Tomato Seedlings
Q
Comments (17)
Peter, yes, I'm doing it slowly and watch them carefully. I do not want to trash all my seedlings. But I do not have an indoor lighting system. Just not practical for the family. So I have to work out of my situation. They need light, and need to be stronger before they are set to the garden. I do not care if they are small, just should be strong. Before, two years ago, I always bought the smallest tomato seedlings from the local nursery, by the flat, about 24 plants a flat. They were about this size of plants. And I got a lot of harvest out of those tiny plants.
...See More
Maple seedlings not hardening off
Q
Comments (10)
Ground or pot they're in the soil isn't cooling down like it shoukd to tekl the tree it time to work on harding it's twigs. I see many maples not producing buds till spring. On young saplings it's not big deal they grow so fast they can over come the die back long as you're there to prune them to keep diseases and pest at bay. On slower growing trees you can force them to harden but dumping a cooler of ice water around outside of root ball. If in a pot place pot in cooler then fill make sure pot drains well an don't leave it in there long you're just jump starting the hardening process
...See More
nutsaboutflowers
Original Author
13 years ago
Marcia - I wish I had a cold frame or greenhouse. We're still getting cold nights, so I guess I'll put them out and put them in the garage at night.

Northspruce - Hee hee! I'm the one who posted last year that my marigolds embarrassed me. Out of all the things I've grown over the years, marigolds were always the worst. I just couldn't grow them worth a hoot. The forum group last year told me to spread out the roots ( I was, but I guess not enough). So, after that, when I plantd my marigolds, I practically murdered the poor roots, and my marigolds were amazing! Who knew? Marigold roots like abuse =:)
don555
13 years ago
I start some plants, including marigolds, indoors under grow lights. Sunlight is much more instense plus has UV light so the marigolds need at least a week, better two weeks, of gradually getting used to the sun to prevent it from frying their leaves. I don't worry about cold (except for actual frost of course). This past weekend my marigolds (which I started hardening around May 10 and planted around May 24) endured being covered with 5 cm of snow plus a daytime high on Sunday of just 3 degrees. But it never got below freezing (down to 0.3 degrees) and the plants look fine now that the snow has melted.
bdgardener
13 years ago
I didn't know that about the roots. No wonder mine always look so sad. My mom always teases me about them. Her's always self seed and are gorgeous. I wish. Now I know why, maybe this year they will get big enough they will self sow. Hey, C
northspruce
13 years ago
Oh that was you was it NAF? LOL Well it shed some light on the mystery for me too. My DH always accuses me of repeating myself, I guess he's right.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Seeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started

By Abundant City

Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Garden Musts for May

Mid-Atlantic Gardening Guide: Plant summer bulbs, pick off those stinkbugs and enjoy the flowering trees, wildflowers and more

NORTHWEST GARDENING Pacific Northwest Gardener's February Checklist

Let witch hazel cast its spell, shut off your mason bees' snooze button and hit up the nursery for seeds and roses

SPRING GARDENING Enjoy the Peak of Spring Gardening — Here’s What to Do in May

By Annie Thornton

Bid the frost farewell and treasure the blooms. No matter what U.S. region you’re in, one of these guides will help your garden flourish

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Texas Gardener's April Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Get your sowing and planting on — spring brings a tantalizing array of possibilities in the garden

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Tips for Beginning Gardeners

By Laura Gaskill

With a simple sketch, basic tools and the right plants, you’ll be on your way to growing your first flowers or edibles

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

Sponsored

More Discussions

Homeowner maintenance advice for a modern house?

3

Let's talk about the Weather in the colder zones-2-3-4.

78