![]() This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”.Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden after the frost.Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves.Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours. ![]() Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night.Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula.Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit.Zinnia may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden after frost, or from potted plants.
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