Starting seedlings indoors during the winter months is a great way to get ahead start on your Spring garden. Hardening is the process where you get your seedlings and young plants ready to make the full transition from indoors to outdoors. The hardening process can take anywhere from one to two weeks. It is best to start this process when your last frost has passed and evening temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees F.
Day 1:
Set your seedlings in a partially covered area, free of wind for about 2-3 hours. Ideally, do this in the afternoon, and be sure to bring them in before things start to cool.
Day 2:
Set your seedlings into partial or full sun for about 2-3 hours.
Day 3:
Set your seedlings out in the full sun for 4 hours.
Day 4:
Set your seedlings out now morning or midmorning to expose them to some cooler temperatures in the full sun.
Day 5:
Set your seedlings out for the entire day but be sure to bring them in at night.
Day 6:
Set your seedlings out all day and night.
Day 7 – Transplant time:
If you are passed your last frost and the temperatures are looking good, let the transplanting commence.
