You started your own seeds or purchased transplants from a garden center. Time to get the seedlings in the garden, right? No! There’s one more step, and it’s an important one.
Until now, those seedlings have led the good life — in your warm house or a heated greenhouse. They’ve been watered and fertilized regularly and protected from harsh weather. They need time to acclimate to the great outdoors.
Whenever you move plants (seedlings, houseplants, etc.) outdoors, they need to be hardened off. Did you know plants can get sunburned? Suffer chill damage? Even plants, like tomatoes and basil, that love full sun in the garden need hardening off. Otherwise…
Bleached or whitish areas on foliage may indicate sunburn. These basil and tomato plants weren’t ready for the onslaught of full, intense sun, which is far brighter than any indoor lights. Most plants outgrow the damage.
This often shows up as blackened foliage and droopy stems, as it does on this basil. The uppermost leaves bear the brunt of the damage because as cold air settles they offer some protection to the lower leaves. Pinch off the damaged areas and, if it wasn’t completely frozen, the plant should recover eventually.
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You started your own seeds or purchased transplants from a garden center. Time to get the seedlings in the garden, right? No! There’s one more step, and it’s an important one.
Until now, those seedlings have led the good life — in your warm house or a heated greenhouse. They’ve been watered and fertilized regularly and protected from harsh weather. They need time to acclimate to the great outdoors.
Whenever you move plants (seedlings, houseplants, etc.) outdoors, they need to be hardened off. Did you know plants can get sunburned? Suffer chill damage? Even plants, like tomatoes and basil, that love full sun in the garden need hardening off. Otherwise…Sunburn tomato seedling
Bleached or whitish areas on foliage may indicate sunburn. These basil and tomato plants weren’t ready for the onslaught of full, intense sun, which is far brighter than any indoor lights. Most plants outgrow the damage.
This often shows up as blackened foliage and droopy stems, as it does on this basil. The uppermost leaves bear the brunt of the damage because as cold air settles they offer some protection to the lower leaves. Pinch off the damaged areas and, if it wasn’t completely frozen, the plant should recover eventually.Chill damage on basil
Gradually acclimate indoor plants to outdoor conditions over the course of a week or 10 days.
Note: Plants exposed to sun and wind will dry out much faster than they did indoors. Seedlings in small containers may need watering several times a day.
Group Tours
Bell Tower Festival
Plant Sale
Live Music
Regular events
at the gardens
Gardens are always open
Welcome Center:
10:00 - 4:00 PM Daily
Weekends: May - October
10:00 - 4:00
201 East Lincoln Way
Jefferson, Iowa 50129
The Thomas Jefferson Gardens bring to life the prairies that welcomed Lewis and Clark explorers and early settlers, heritage plants from Monticello, farming practices of Thomas Jefferson’s time, outdoor musical instruments to experience, a children’s garden, and so much more.
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