I'm starting to harden off my tomato plants this weekend, but I have to work during the weekdays, and there's no one home to help me take them outside. I'm really worried they won't make it through this process! Anyone has tips on how to manage this while working?
3 Answers
I've found that putting them out for an hour or two each morning before I head to work helps a ton. I bring them back in during the day and then put them out again in the evening for longer stretches. If the weather is nice, I'll leave them out overnight right before the weekend when I'm planning to plant them. On cloudy days, I keep them in the shade to ease them into it. Just take it slow!
I work full-time too, so I just bring them out when I get home. I start with an hour and gradually increase it every couple of days until they're out overnight. It usually works out nicely, and then I plant them the following weekend. Don’t stress too much, they’re pretty resilient!
I usually place mine on my front porch, which is shaded by a big tree and gets no direct sun, so they're safe there while I’m at work. If it’s going to get cold at night, I bring them inside, but after a few days, I start moving them into spots where they can catch some morning sun. Just be cautious not to rush or they might get sunburned, but they usually bounce back quickly before planting.
That sounds like a great approach! I think I'll give the porch thing a try.