when to harden off a seedling?

Hi to everyone :-)

I have a newbie question (newbie to seeds propagation)... I have decided to sow seeds and start my annuals and some perennials this way this year (inexpensive i suppose) . I have started on Feb 11 and a lot of them are now around 2-4 inches taller and my nasturtium is about 7-8 inches tall now. I have been reading about hardening off these babies before they get to be transplanted in the ground.

Is it a good time for me to do it now ? I am in zone 8A and most likely will be getting some ave. of 70 degrees temp during the day for the next 2 weeks at least.

It has been growing indoors for at least 3 weeks now. Will it be safe to start taking them out now? Any reply will be greatly appreciated. I am excited about my seedlings and so far it seems to be a success that all of the seeds germinated if not 100% at least I get 50% in some of them.

Thank you

Eileen

you may have to bring them in at night, but I harden off in the 70s/50s.

I'd probably start working on hardening them off--in warmer climates you need to be concerned about getting them planted in the garden early enough that they have time to get established before hot weather hits and you have to have them hardened off before you can plant them in the ground.

thanks to both of you for the input.. I have taken them out today on my front porch which doesn't get the sun till later in the afternoon. It was a little cool around 50's but I guess it maybe ok. They are getting a little bit too big too soon but I haven't got the beds ready yet!

I have a mini unheated greenhouse by my front porch which is sheltered from the afternoon sun and the cold nights but the thermometer usually reads about 10-20 degrees warmer than the outside temp at night. Can I leave my seedlings in there to keep them hardened off? we are expecting a low in the high 40's and 50's the rest of the week and highs in the 70's or should i bring them back in at night? what is the ideal night temp for these seedlings to be left out?

It depends on the the plant.Generally speaking,I watch the weather channel.When they give the forcast for the week.I wait till the temperatures at night are at least 50,no lower.for the entire week before I keep them outdoors.Edge

Ditto.

Although I am in a much colder climate--zone 4--I too have to harden my plants. My altitute is high so closer to the sun, which can be blazing hot starting late May or June.

I place my plants in an Eastern exposure for morning, to late morning sun, then gradually expose them to more. It can take 2 weeks to harden plants. I put all in large flats for easy carrying in and out as night temperature demands. If above 50F degrees plants do ok at night.

Plants that have grown too large in the house with soft growth, can be trimmed back while harden them off. It won't hurt them and they new leaves will grow hardened off. Actually, it is better to trim them back since some roots will be injured or lost when you plant and this will balance top growth with roots. It is recommended to trim 1/3 of the plant growth when you plant to relieve stress as it tries to become established in your garden. Plants need a certain amount of roots to support top growth. If it doesn't have that, it will cause stress on the plant and will take longer to get established.

Just my 2 cents worth.

that's exactly what is happening with my nasturtiums - they are too tall for the small seed starter pellets I had them in. they are all drooping and looks lanky... I will go out today and start cutting them off - how much should i trim off the top? they are about 8-10" tall now.