Background: I sowed my first batch of tomatoes on April 4th on those transparent 12-grid trays w/ domes that are supes trendy right now, potted them up on May 4th & 5th into 3-inch transparent pots (which I now understand may not provide the ideal darkness for their roots, live and learn), and I would like to transplant them outdoors soon.
Questions: One concern that I have (and I’m not sure how concerned I should be) is potentially introducing outdoor wildlife into my indoor environment during the hardening off phase.
- Do other gardeners worry about this or am I over thinking it? Is it basically set them on a table (not on the ground), don’t leave them out there for too long, and hope for the best?
- What other steps can I take to keep my indoor environment as sterile as possible while hardening off some plants when they’re ready?
ETA Additional Reading: Hardening Off Seedlings: How to Safely Transition Indoor Plants Outdoors
I don’t really worry about this because I don’t bring my plants back inside when hardening them. I start seedlings inside under a light. Once they are big enough, I move them outside to a semi sheltered area, usually under the edge of the roof and out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day. When they have a few sets of leaves or the roots start showing at the bottom of the pot, I put them in the ground. After they go into the ground, they are on their own to live or die.
I live in a very mild climate and, with exception to harsh midday sun, I don’t have to harden the seedlings much. Aphids are a serious problem and I don’t want them in my aerogardens inside.