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How are seedlings hardened off before planting?

"Hardening off is a gardening term that refers to the practice of getting seedlings ready for planting. Specifically, seedlings that have been raised indoors must gradually get used to the outdoor environment. To harden off seedlings, place them outdoors for a few hours per day in a semiprotected spot. Each day, let the seedlings stay out for an hour longer than they did the day before. By the end of one week the seedlings will be ready for planting outdoors.

Source: Ortho's Complete Guide to Successful Gardening, p. 70.

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