How To Harden Off Tender Plants

Toughen up tender plants gradually to help them withstand the weather, says Ruth

- Ruth

IF your greenhouse and windowsills are groaning under the weight of cuttings and seedlings, you might be tempted to create more space by moving some outside.

But hold fire – rising temperatures may seem plant-friendly but nights are cold and the last frosts are still some way off, so moving young plants into the garden now could severely stunt their growth and kill them. The last frosts usually occur in late spring in the south, and slightly later further north.