Toughen seedlings before planting day

Joy to the world; spring has sprung! I think I speak for all gardeners when I say "Hooray for spring!" With trowels in hand, we're venturing outdoors to begin the great adventure that lies ahead.

Before you dig that first hole, make sure your seedlings are ready. Seedlings carelessly ripped from their warm, cozy homes and thrust into the great outdoors are doomed. By putting them trough the proper hardening process, you provide them with an important survival tool.

Start toughening up your plants before they get sent outside by periodically running your hand along the tops. This will stress the stems a bit to help them toughen up. You also can place them next to an open window and let the wind blow on them to strengthen them.

For the first couple of days outside, place seedlings in a protected, shady spot -- on a porch or under a tree. Then slowly introduce them to direct sun. Begin with 30 to 60 minutes a day and gradually increase the time. For the first several days, seedlings need to be brought inside nightly. After several days they can be left out overnight on warm nights (above 40 degrees).

Wait until at least April 15, our last average frost date, to plant anything that is not frost-hardy. To be on the safe side, it isn't a bad idea to wait until April 20. I know it's hard to resist the urge to plant when spring seems to be in full swing -- but it's a wise move.

When the time comes to move your seedlings from pots to their new homes, choose a cloudy day or wait until the evening. Seedlings will have a much better chance of making it they don't have to endure blazing sunshine their first day out.

Before planting, gently remove from the container (or if using peat pots, gently remove as much of the pot as possible, as it will draw moisture away from the plant). If the plant has become root-bound, tease the roots carefully to separate them.

After planting, water thoroughly with a weak solution of water-soluble fertilizer. Check them daily for the first week or so, to make sure they don't dry out. You can gradually cut back on how often you check on them as their roots grow and they're able to draw in more moisture.

Plants bought from the nursery probably have already been exposed to the elements and have been hardened off. But they still need to be treated with tender loving care in the first couple of weeks. Many will be root-bound and will require root teasing. They also should be planted on a cloudy day or in the evening and kept moist in their early days.

With a little TLC, your plants will not only survive but thrive in their new homes.