THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603080084
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
IF YOU WANT to grow an unusual variety of vegetable or flower, you almost always have to start with seeds. Garden centers stock only the best-selling varieties, which often means they don't carry the special one you want to grow.
One of the hardest parts of growing plants from seed is the ``hardening off'' process. That should be done before putting plants in your outdoor garden. It means gradually subjecting them to adverse growing conditions - the kind they'll find in the garden.
To harden off transplants, Louisiana State University recommends you water lightly and less frequently. Gradually expose plants to lower temperatures by opening the top of your hot bed or cold frame. If you've grown them indoors, set the plants outside for longer periods each day and night. This can usually be accomplished over five to 10 days.
It's important to keep them in the sun but out of the wind when outdoors. Even then, they tend to be tall and skinny, so plant them deep when you put them in the garden.
With proper hardening off, your plant transplants will be better adapted to the hard life outdoors. Just before setting plants in the garden, water them thoroughly.
KEYWORDS: WEEDER'S DIGEST by CNB