CARING FOR YOUR NEW ANNUALS, PERENNIALS AND VEGETABLES
All plants purchased from a greenhouse need a period of adjustment to outdoor conditions. Please see hardening off instructions below.
Do not plant your new vegetable or annual plants before the frost-free date for your area. Typically, in Spokane that is mid-to late May. Most warm season transplants (peppers and eggplants) should not go out into the garden before June 1st unless you are going to protect them.
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Transplants must be “hardened off” gradually before planting out in the garden. This is accomplished by exposing plants to increasing amounts of cold, sunlight and wind.
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At first, place them outside in a sheltered, shady area. If that is not available lattice, shade cloth or row cover can be used. Bring them back inside at night to protect from cold and frost.
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Gradually increase exposure a few hours over 7 - 10 days before transplanting. (C104, below)
Please see the following WSU sites for more information:
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2076/2021/02/C104-Seed-Starting-2020.pdf
https://extension.wsu.edu/spokane/master-gardener-program/home-lawn-and-garden/