It’s been pretty raw outside for the past week but despite the wet and chilly conditions it’s an ideal time to get out and take care of a few transplanting tasks in the vegetable garden. Sure, it’s not the most agreeable time for an organic gardener to be outdoors, but it is perfect weather for setting out hardy veggie transplants, relocating over wintered crops, or thinning direct seeded plants to give them additional space to grow and mature.

I started the important hardening off process for my frost sensitive seedlings over a week ago, but I’ve been resisting the urge to transplant those tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, and melons out into the open garden.

You’ve put the time and effort into growing your own healthy vegetable transplants indoors under lights and now it’s time to transplant them into the garden. But before you head for the garden be sure to harden off those tender seedlings or you’ll be making a mistake that could destroy all your careful efforts.