Do I need to re-harden off?

[PunkRotten]

Hi,


I started most my seeds outdoors in mini greenhouses. After they sprouted I lifted the tops off. And I have been leaving them outdoors everyday and only bringing them in if there is going to be lots of rain or lots of wind.

I've noticed my seedlings are growing super slow. I started a bunch of tomatoes and peppers about FEB 20th I think and as of now they are transplanted in a bigger container and only about an inch high. I also have them positioned where they get about 2-3 hours of morning sun and rest of the day in shade.

I think 2 things are happening. They are not getting enough light to get bigger faster and being outdoors in the cold is slowing their growth too.

The outside temps at night have been in the upper 40s. I know they can handle it but I feel that it is one thing slowing them down. I think they may all be hardened off cause I have had them positioned in this morning sun area for a few weeks now. I have even moved their tray over a little more so they get another 1-2 hours of afternoon sun too.


But I think they should be bigger than they are now. I see others' seedlings started around similar time and theirs are much bigger and healthier.


I am thinking about getting a light and bringing them indoors and giving them 14 hours of light and seeing if they respond to this better. But if I bring them in for a few weeks, would I have to re-harden them off when I bring them back outdoors?

[Wannabeegreen]

My mum in uk had tomato growing issues also, but she used to use some kind of uv light (?) and put them in to her cupboard where the hot water tank was and kept them there till they went in green house in summer and she used to get loads of tomatoes that way, just grown in a grow bag! Hope it's helpful