Time to Harden Off Veggie Plants

Gardening is a bit of a balancing act. And a gambling act! So many variable: spring climate conditions, high tunnel preparation, readiness of transplants,… And the exuberance of gardening after months of winter. And so, year after year, we arrive at this point. And so, year after year, we arrive at this point. Is it time to harden off veggie plants?

A few weeks back, my optimism got the best of me.

With temperatures improving, there’s a fairly good chance. We will begin to get things seated in the next week or two. And possibly transplants in mid/late May… Stay tuned! (Source: Transplant Soon?)

That’s what I wrote and shared here. But what I really meant, what I would’ve said if I hadn’t been hyperventilating with excitement, was that it *might* be possible to transplant in mid/late April. Actually mid/late May is our normal planting time. I was hoping to jumpstart by about a month.

So where do things stand? It’s fair to say that mid April has become late April, and we’re close but not quite ready to transplant vegetable seedlings yet. But the process by which we begin to prepare plants for transplanting, bringing plants outside to begin acclimating and developing the fortitude and resilience that will improve their odds when they assume their places in the garden, this indoor/outdoor volleying, has begun.

Pam, Aimee Baker, and the Amish family are readying tender seedlings got the tougher co sitio s of outdoor living. Is it necessary to harden off veggies that will be transplanted into a high tunnel? We’re still learning the ins and outs of high tunneling, but I’m still leaning toward acclimating plants outside by day and safeguarding them inside at night.

And it’s looking like most of our plants are just about ready to learn what it’s like to be outside. Here’s a recent update from Aimee.

The only thing I’m concerned about is the peppers. They need more time to soak up sun. I’m happy to grow them in my greenhouse for you. But the rest may be good to go… –Aimee Baker

So a holding pattern for some of the peppers. But April’s not over yet. And I’m staying optimistic that our organic veggie seedlings just might make it into the garden by the end of month!