Hardening off your plants gradually

When you take your indoor plants or young annuals (flower or vegetable plants) outside in spring, it is highly recommended that you give them a hardening off period.

You can do this by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions (temperature, light, wind, etc.) so that they have time to adjust. This will help avoid any damage.

You can start hardening off your plants as soon as nighttime temperatures are above 10-12°C.

Place them in a corner in partial shade, out of the wind. Move them into a sunnier spot for a few hours, in the morning or late afternoon, for a bit longer each day. They'll be ready for full sun in 7 to 10 days.

You can also start them out in the shade of a tree or under a “parasol” made of a double layer of shade cloth or mosquito netting, and gradually expose them to more direct sunlight every day.