# Hardening Off Seedlings With Garden Cloches So Transplants Adjust Outdoors Without Shock

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/hardening-off-seedlings-with-garden-cloches-so-transplants-adjust-outdoors-without-shock/
- Published: 2026-10-24T03:10:19-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

![Hardening Off Seedlings With Garden Cloches So Transplants Adjust Outdoors Without
Shock](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/9CZgctS.jpeg?w=790&ssl=1)

To ensure your seedlings flourish successfully, they need to acclimate to outdoor
conditions gradually through hardening off. This process exposes them to wind, sunlight
and temperature variations over time in order to build resilience against transplant
shock and prevent transplant shock.

Plan accordingly as hardening off generally takes 7-14 days, so feed and water less
for one or two weeks prior to hardening off starting.

## Weather

Hardening off involves gradually acclimating plants to outdoor conditions so they
do not experience a sudden shock when transitioning outdoors. Without proper hardening
off, seedlings could experience wilting, yellowed leaves and stunted growth – the
acclimation process also helps regulate water loss more efficiently and absorb nutrients
more readily.

Garden cloches provide similar protection as greenhouses and hotbeds, but on a smaller
scale. They’re great for protecting rows of low growing crops in vegetable gardens
as well as individual ornamental plants in ornamental ones, helping avoid frost 
in early spring, and prolonging seasons by protecting late-ripening vegetables such
as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in cool-season regions.

Cloches protect transplanted plants from wind, temperature changes and direct sunlight
for extended periods that could otherwise stress them out, scorch soil or wet it
down with rain, scorching the transplant itself or sopping through its root system.
They’re especially helpful for leafy crops like lettuce and spinach which become
tough and bitter when exposed directly sunlight for too long.

## Temperature

Garden cloches provide a warm, undisturbed environment for crop growth. They’re 
especially effective at supporting fast-growing varieties like tomatoes and cucumbers
as well as planting cuttings or seeds, or when propagating cuttings from cuttings
taken earlier in the season. Furthermore, garden cloches play an essential role 
in insect pollinated flowers and vegetables by helping ensure pollination occurs
naturally.

Covers such as bell-shaped glass cloches or the more cost-effective individual versions
made from recycled plastic milk bottles can provide effective yet economical protection
for plants, making weeding easier, while providing ventilation when temperatures
become too warm.

When vegetable plants begin producing flowers or fruit prematurely, it’s an indication
of stress. If this is the case for your garden’s plants, pinch off any buds and 
petals so it can redirect its energies toward adapting to its conditions and avoid
permanent damage when temperatures cool off further. It will also allow it to focus
its efforts on producing bigger leaves with stronger roots for easier transplanting
and ultimately produce a more resilient transplant that’s ready for its permanent
home.

## Light

Garden cloches offer protection from light frosts, strong winds and heavy rainfall
that could otherwise harm soil structure, seedbeds and young plants as well as produce.
Furthermore, they protect them from deer nibbling on nearby vegetation as well as
from other nibblers in the garden.

The classic cloche is a glass dome designed to protect plants sensitive to cold.
Acting like a mini greenhouse, cloches enable northern gardeners to start tender
seeds and transplants sooner, and help extend season crops like tomatoes, aubergines
and peppers by encouraging their harvest in fall.

Cloches (also called bell jars) come in plastic or glass forms and can be bought
commercially or made at home. Cloches focus sunlight onto plants underneath, encouraging
early blooming and speeding up ripening rates; however, too much sun could scorch
and kill these delicate blooms under too much exposure; make sure that you remove
it regularly to increase ventilation to avoid overheating!

## Water

Greenhouses or indoor pots provide a cozy sanctuary from which seedlings are more
comfortable being exposed to harsh soil, sun and winds when transplanted outside,
so it’s crucial that “hardening off” transplants by gradually exposing them to them
prior to planting is done before being transplanted into their final places in a
garden or farm setting.

Begin by placing the transplants outdoors for several hours during an overcast day,
taking care to avoid direct afternoon sun that can scorch tender leaves and dehydrate
plants.

After your transplants have had their initial exposure, place them outdoors for 
several more hours each day for several days until you see that they remain without
wilting for at least a full day without becoming dry and withered. If using shade
cloth like the Bosmere Net Tunnel Shade Cloth or Wicker Cloche to protect the plants
under cover, make sure that watering the plants every time they come under cover
will help avoid drying out of their roots.

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