Hardening (see notes); everything outside tonight (under heavy row cover) except basils and a few teeny squash

New strategy today:  Plunking the plants in ONE AREA for the whole day, and using a heavy row cover blanket for shade after the full-sun hardening needs to end for the day.  Wayyyy easier.

 

9:40am sun arrived at west edge (but not yet on zinnias).

9:55am sun arrived onto zinnias/sunflowers.

10:30am sun arrived onto everything except the new basil.

11:10am placed folded light cover over ground cherries.

 

 

Zinnias and sunflowers in full sun from 9:55am to 11:25 = 1.5 hours

 

Ground cherry in full sun from ~10:10 to 11:10 = 1 hour, then received light cover 11:10 to 11:30am, then replaced light cover with heavy cover

 

Others in full sun from ~10:15 to 11:25 = generous 1 hour

 

Everything under heavy row cover from 11:25 to 2:15pm,  then removed cover and kept in shade for rest of day.  AND LEFT ALMOST EVERYTHING OUT OVERNIGHT FOR FIRST TIME bec forecast low is only 13 degrees and only for one hour -- and I tucked them in under the heavy cover for the night.  The only things spending tonight inside are all of the basils and three of the teeniest squash, more to keep them safe from critters.