This is the earliest I've ever started hardening off tender annuals
mxk3 z5b_MI
16 days ago
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beesneeds
16 days agoCharles Kidder
16 days agoRelated Discussions
List of Tender Annuals and Per. you are waiting to sow in March
Comments (18)I'm with bakemom. I think this list has grown way too long. Somehow the principle has strayed way off from Trudi's original "throw seed in a jug and stick 'em in the snow". I think Trudi still sows everything in winter, don't you Trudi? I too sow things like petunia and nicotiana in winter and had them do just great. They reseed like weeds in my yard so I figure that's the go ahead to sow them in winter. If you've already sown some of the really tender things like zins, marigolds, or coleus, you just have to be a little more vigilant come spring. If you get an early warm weather spell, watch those for germination. In case of later frost, after they germinate, just give them a little more protection overnight. Throw a blanket over them if necessary. That's not such a big deal, really. I find that if these are sown early they don't necessarily sprout early because they tend to need really warm temps for several days to germ. Don't overthink this. Some of you guys are making this much harder than it has to be. Karen...See MoreIs there a tender annuals/hardy annuals list somewhere?
Comments (9)Christie, Your winter sown things should be in their covered containers, so they are protected. Planted out or with out covers on the containers are called unprotected. You do not need to worry about un sprouted seeds. If its a brief frost/light freeze I wouldn't worry so long as the plants aren't touching the plastic cover. If its sustained cold it is iffy on those tender things. If you've already sown them, and they've sprouted you can take your chances on leaving them out and see what happens. If you lose them, there is plenty of time to re sown. If they've sprouted and you are expecting really cold temps longer than over night you can always move them indoors to a garage or really cool room. But only for a short while, other wise they'll get all leggy and weak, then you'll need to harden them off when temps warm back up. You could try to move them to a covered porch and toss a blanket over them for a little while but only while its really cold. (below freezing) This is the reason why we only sow hardy plants early and wait until later to sow the tender stuff. The above is not set in stone, and people in different areas may have other experiences. You'd be surprised how these little sprouts tough out short periods of really cold temps in their little greenhouses. But really tender plants, just can't cope....See MoreHardening off (annuals)
Comments (6)Do they have true leaves yet, Connie? Have you already planted them into bigger pots, or are you about to do that? Snaps can take a lot of cold! I always have some outside (they just come up all over the place) that are evergreen all winter. Sometimes plants that have bloomed that summer, and sometimes seedlings that have come up late summer. If theyÂve already been potted up for a few days or more, put them out in "some" sun today and then leave them out tonite (in a protected enough place that they wonÂt blow away!) covered with a single or double layer of old sheet. ItÂs only supposed to get into the low 40's, and if theyÂre covered a little, they should be fine. Tomorrow get them in more sun, and maybe cover them again for one more nite. Then put them in lots of sun and leave them out in your "protected place" without covering them. After that itÂs supposed to get colder again, so depending on how theyÂre looking after their introduction to the big wide world, and how cold itÂs supposed to get, either cover them again for a couple of the coldest nites, or just keep them against the house/in a corner/under a deckÂor somewhere that will ward off the coldest temps. I think after the first three nites out, they should be fine, but I donÂt know just how big they are or the other variables that could affect them. But they ARE very cold "resistant!" And, yeah, snaps are "annuals," but they fall into that strange class of annuals that tend to come back the next yearÂnot only from seed, but also some of the original plants will survive to "live another year!" Post if you have any questions and IÂll try to keep an eye on RMG and get back to you right away, but IÂm in the process of planning two unexpected road trips, so I might not see it till later. Will check in before bedtime if not before! When you plant them in the ground, put them where you want more! Wherever they are, youÂll get moreÂwhether you want them or not! Happy spring, Skybird P.S. Starting seedsÂand most other thingsÂarenÂt nearly as hard, OR scary, to do after you do them as they were before you did them! ItÂs all in the "trying" with gardeningÂas with most things in life!...See MoreWhen to start hardening off in Upstate New York
Comments (7)Why exactly are you lugging them around? Seriously, you are making this WAY too much work. You kick them outside when it's pretty warm, and if they have to come back in, they spend the night on the kitchen floor, or in the garage. The trick is to have some idea of just when certain plants object to the cold. So the sweet peas are already on their own on the front porch, and will probably get planted early next week. They can handle light frost. The other extreme is basil. It freaks at temperatures below 40, so it stays inside until pretty late. Just don't bung them out into broad daylight. They don't like that. Start with somewhere on the north side of the house with shade. The sun is much, much worse than the cold for most seedlings....See Morerosaprimula
16 days agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
16 days agomxk3 z5b_MI
16 days agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
15 days agomxk3 z5b_MI
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15 days agolast modified: 15 days agorosaprimula
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