hardening off question

LA47 · Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:56 pm

I decided to start hardening off my plants but now I'm concerned that it is only 45 degrees. Is this too cold? I intend for them to stay out about an hour.

rainbowgardener · Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:58 pm

Depends greatly on what plants. Any cold weather stuff, broccoli, cabbage, etc will be fine. And for them I would be a little braver and leave them out for a few hours, just not in direct sun the first time.

Tomatoes can handle it. Not peppers or other tropicals.

LA47 · Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:12 am

Thanks for answering so quickly. That saved my plants! I moved them in the shade and left them a couple of hours more and was panicked when I looked at them! the outer leaves were wilty on the tomatoes and zinnia. I thought I had lost them! This morning they look fine. Thank Goodness! I think I'll be a little more cautious now and wait until it is up to 50 degrees at least! It's suppose to start warming up a little now. Not the night temps. It was 16 degrees this 6:00 AM but is suppose to warm up into the 50's during the day. What should the night temps be to plant my broccoli in the garden???

hendi_alex · Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:18 am

Sometimes when the cold weather persists and I need to get the plants outside, I'll put them outside in clear sweater boxes, in a sunny location. If the plants are larger then I'll put them out in the portable cold frame, but will place a 100 watt bulb inside the space, to help bring the temperature up to nearer 70 degrees.