Hardening Off Seedlings IN Garden?

9 years ago

This year, I started my sweet little seedlings from seed. I dutifully kept them warm and well-lit, hardened them off like a good gardener should, and finally after weeks of nurturing them, set them free to make their own way in my garden. They were happy for the first several days, growing and looking great. Then I went out to the garden yesterday and the leaves are just gone on 3 of the 6 that I planted. I'm not gonna lie--I cried a little at the loss.

My first question is, what do you think got them? Do you think it was birds, bunnies, or bugs?

My second question is (and bear with me--I know this sounds totally junky looking, but it would only be temporary), do you think this could work? I planted some extra seedlings, so they can go in the place of the lost ones. I'm planning to wrap my tomato cages in 1" mesh to keep out critters until the plants get bigger. Here's the part where it gets junky: Could I cover part of the tomato cages with a colored (not black, not clear) plastic bag to make it so the seedlings get morning sun? As they get more used to the sun, I could move the bags further and further back on the cages until eventually the bag comes off. Obviously, I'd have to water them by hand to get under the bag (or just take the bags off while I water). I just want to get them into the garden as soon as I can because it's already a few weeks later than it should be (mostly because it's been cold here in Nebraska).

Thank you!

Comments (4)

labradors_gw
9 years ago
Oh Jessica, how sad!

I'll bet the bunnies had a feast!

I think your idea of the bags over the cages is good. Something that I do to protect tender seedlings from cold wind and hot sun is to take an old plastic plant pot and cut out the bottom. I place it on the soil around the plant and secure it with sticks. It's easy to remove when no longer needed.

Good luck with the second batch of seedlings!

Linda
sheltieche
9 years ago
hmm, we have tons of bunnies, never lost tomato plant to them... deer maybe
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digdirt2
9 years ago
Here's the part where it gets junky: Could I cover part of the tomato cages with a colored (not black, not clear) plastic bag to make it so the seedlings get morning sun?

Any fabric that lets air through it while still protecting them from the wind and providing some shade will work much better than plastic unless cold temps are still a problem for some reason.

Dave
jessisok
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much for your responses!

Linda, I love the idea of using plant pots and I happen to have some extras laying around the potting shed that I could use for this!

Deer eating them is unlikely but not impossible. I was actually wondering if I should do the cayenne and water spray to keep them from being delicious until they're bigger.

Dave, I'm planning on the plastic bags being just on the tops of the tomato cages to shade them from the hottest sun right now, sort of like a little parasol or something. :) I have some black gardening fabric, but I was afraid that the black would make it too hot under the cover, so that was why I was thinking I'd do the plastic bags.

I'll get them out in the garden probably tonight and get all my stuff rigged up and if I remember I'll take a picture so I can show you my handiwork. :)

Thanks again for your responses!

Jessica