Planted tomato seedlings directly from a warm room into a garden bed, and they withered within a day?
Without hardening, it is not ready for harsh outdoor conditions.
This process is like training for plants: step by step you accustom them to the sun, wind and temperature changes.
Let's figure out how to do it right so that your tomatoes survive even in capricious weather.
Step by step to hardening
Start 7-10 days before planting. On the first day, take the seedlings outside into the shade for an hour - under a porch or a tree.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) stresses that gradual introduction to UV light can prevent sunburn.
Indoors, tomatoes are accustomed to the soft light of lamps or windows, but outdoors the sun can burn tender leaves in a couple of hours. On the second day, add another hour, on the third - leave for three hours, but still in the shade.
By day four, it's time to introduce the seedlings to the sun. In the morning or evening, when the rays are not as aggressive, let them stand in the light for 1-2 hours. The University of Minnesota advises: avoid midday sun from 12 to 3 p.m. - this is too harsh a start.
By the end of the week, the seedlings should be outside all day, including several hours in direct sunlight. My neighbor once missed this stage, and her tomatoes looked like burnt matches — black and dry. Don't let that happen!
Wind and Water: New Challenges
Wind is another important factor. On the 3rd or 4th day of hardening, choose a place with a light draft. A light breeze strengthens the stems, making them thicker and more flexible.
But don't expose your seedlings to a hurricane: gusts over 10 km/h can break weak plants. If you have a greenhouse, open the door for a couple of hours a day - this is the perfect exercise machine.
Watering also changes. A week before planting, cut the water in half: instead of watering every day, do it every 2-3 days. Alan Titchmarsh, a well-known gardener, says:
"Less water makes the roots work and prepares them for life in the soil."
But don't overdo it: if the leaves are wilting, give them a little moisture. The goal is to make the seedlings resilient, not to starve them to death.
What to do if the weather is against you
If the forecast promises frost, rain or heat above 30°C, postpone planting. Hardened seedlings are stronger, but not immortal.
In such cases, keep it in a greenhouse or on the veranda for a couple more days. But then it will withstand both wind and drought. I once risked planting tomatoes before a cold night - I lost half of the seedlings.
Don't repeat my mistake! Harden wisely, and your tomatoes will be ready for any challenge.
