hardening off seedlings without losing half the tray
the year I skipped a day of this schedule to save time, I lost most of a pepper tray to one cold snap. don't skip a day.
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1
Wait until daytime temps hold above 60°F for at least three days running
one warm afternoon doesn't count, you need a stretch
2
Day 1: full shade, one hour outside, then back in
3
Day 2: full shade, two hours
4
Day 3: dappled light, three hours, out of the wind
wind is the part people forget. it dries seedlings out faster than sun does
5
Days 4-5: a few hours of direct morning sun, still bringing them in at night
6
Days 6-7: half the day outside
check leaves for sunscald in the afternoon, pull back a step if you see white patches
7
Days 8-9: leave outside all day, bring in only if frost is forecast
8
Day 10: leave overnight if nights are staying above 45°F
this is the step I skipped the bad year. a surprise 38 degree night took most of a pepper tray
9
Transplant on a cloudy, calm day if you can pick one
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