Hey everyone! I've been experimenting with winter sowing using milk jugs and other containers, but I started my nightshades, including tomatoes, indoors. I've got a sunny window, but I don't have a dedicated grow light setup. My tomato seedlings are currently about an inch tall, and I'm thinking about transferring them to one of my makeshift container greenhouses, like the milk jugs, to acclimate them outside. I'm concerned that if I wait too long, they might become leggy. What do you all think? Will putting them outside help them survive and thrive?
1 Answer
It's generally a good idea to wait until your tomato seedlings have at least a few true leaves before hardening them off. If you can, try to start on an overcast day or in the morning/evening to avoid the brightest sun. Place them in a spot with full shade to start. Begin with about an hour outside, then bring them back in. Gradually increase the time each day—try 2 hours on the second day and so on, until they can handle some dappled sun after 3 or 4 days. It’s better to take it slow to avoid stressing them too much. If they stress it might stunt their growth, so patience is key!
Thanks for the tips! I was worried they’d get leggy by the time they finally had true leaves, so that makes sense. I’ll definitely try a slow approach when I start moving them outside.