Hardening off week of March 1st?

Hi all -- I have some fantastic primula that have really grown like crazy from seed sown at the end of December. Right now they are 3" pots and have maybe 6-8 leaves, so they are good size. About what you'd pay $2.99 for at the grocery -- and I have 24 of them!!!

They have been growing at 60-65° since birth.

Primula typically bloom in the early spring , so cold weather is okay for them. I think.

The question is - I live in Indiana Z5/6. We have plenty more 20 degree nights left in the year.

How do I harden these off? I know how to do it when it's after the last frost and the temps are stable, but how do you harden plants when winter isn't over yet?

Suzy

Suzy, I am in Missouri, now said to be 6b. I harden off my seedlings about mid-march by placing them right up against the south brick wall of your house and piling leaves around and over them.

Maybe you could do this with a couple and see how the do. If you are still afraid to do the above, you could also cover them with a large flower pot turned upside down over them.

Just uncover them during the day so they get the light they need. This method also protects the seedlings from varmits that like to eat the succulent growth!

I would put them in a cold greenhouse during the day and bring them back in at night. Do it for a couple of weeks then start leaving them outside at night unless its really cold.

Mike

I have several of those "growhouse" things that look like a metal bookcase with a clear plastic cover. Makes a great vertical "coldframe". The things that need more light go on top, of course, and you have to watch the temps because they can get VERY warm even in early spring. This is really the best time to use them for that reason. I take well-started seedlings from under the lights indoors (70 day, 65 night) to the warmest of the grohouses when we have a spot of several warm days. After that they are fine until I can plant them out.