Hardening Off

[cripery]

Just being curious but everything I read says you MUST harden off Courgette seedlings, can someone tell me what happens if you don't? Also how long do they have to be hardened off for, my garden is sheltered and south facing and v warm.

Thanks Cripery  ;D

[cripery]

[tonybloke]

let me explain;
you know how tender new skin can be (after a wound / operation), well, a new plant is the same. if a plant has been raised in a sheltered environment, no strong wind, no cold nights, etc, it won't have wasted energy in growing a thick cuticle on itself. by moving the plants out during the day, and back under protection at night, over a few days the plant will toughen up it's outer layer. ;)

[cripery]

ah I see, so if you don't do it then it might snap or blow over and break etc....

[Deb P]

It might, but more likely will go very pale and stop growing for a while as if 'shocked', leaving it more vulnerable to pests in the meantime. At worst you might lose them. I do harden my plants off, but probably not for as long as I should do........ too impatient! ;D

[Digeroo]

Slugs will eat em.