Growing seedlings indoors and transplanting them

Here are some valuable tips for growing seedlings indoors and getting them ready to transplant. Note that if your seedlings are leggy, they aren't getting enough light and you need to put the light source closer to them.

The number of leaves, instead of how tall, determines when the plants are ready to start going outside. Basically, the seedlings will need 3-4 sets of true leaves before they are ready to be hardened off prior to planting. The first set of leaves are the cotyledons. They are a source of energy for the plant but not "true leaves".

The process of hardening off takes about a week. You gradually leave the seedlings outside longer and longer-first in shade and then in sun.

Read the following articles for details.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/leggy-seedling.htm

/www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/when-to-transplant-a-seedling-plant-into-the-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/how-to-harden-off-your-seedlings.htm

These cool season seedlings grown under a grow light aren't ready yet to transplant.