Hardening Off
/HAR-den-ing OFF/🧑🌾 Cultivation● Basic
Also known as: acclimatizing
The process of gradually exposing seedlings or plants grown in protected conditions (greenhouse, indoors) to outdoor temperatures, wind, and direct sunlight over 7-14 days. This toughens the plant's cells and cuticle, preventing transplant shock.
Etymology
From "harden" (to make tough) + "off" (completing a process).
Example
“Harden off tomato seedlings for a week before transplanting them into the garden.”