The Step I Used to Skip
Hardening off is the step I used to skip, and regret every single time. I’d carefully nurture seedlings indoors for weeks, only to rush them outside the first sunny day and wonder why they collapsed within hours. I was excited, who could blame me. So if you've been in the same position, don't worry, you're not alone.
Why Sudden Changes Don’t Work
Moving plants straight from a cosy windowsill into cold wind and full sun is a shock they rarely recover from.
Now, I take it slowly. All it takes is just thirty minutes outside on a calm day. And then an hour the next. Gradually increasing exposure to light, temperature, and breeze until they’re strong enough to cope on their own.
Building Resilience, Not Testing It
What surprised me most is how quickly seedlings respond to this gentler approach. Stems thicken, leaves toughen up, and plants seem far less stressed once they finally go into the ground. It feels like giving them a chance to build resilience, rather than testing it all at once.
A Little Protection Goes a Long Way
It’s not exciting, but it works. Lightweight cloches are especially useful at this stage, they take the edge off cooler evenings and protect young plants from wind without fully shutting them off from the elements. Pairing these with a simple plant tray also makes moving seedlings in and out far easier, especially if you’re hardening off in stages.
Why Patience Pays Off
Patience here pays off all summer - stronger plants, fewer losses, and far less disappointment early in the season. It took me a few failed attempts to realise that taking the time to harden off properly sets everything up for steadier growth later on, when plants can focus on thriving rather than recovering.
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