GARDENING TIPS: Preparing for summer

HI I'M JULIE RILEY HORTICULTURALIST FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE.

IT IS TIME TO GARDEN.

MY TIP FOR TODAY, IS ON HARDENING OFF YOUR TRANSPLANTS.

SO WHETHER YOU'VE PURCHASED THEM FROM A GREEN HOUSE OR GROWING YOUR OWN, THEY HAVE TO GET USED TO THE OUTDOORS BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY PUT THEM IN THE GROUND.

SO THE WIND CAN JUST WREAK HAVOC WITH THE TENDER FOLIAGE, THE SUN CAN BE TOO HOT AND BURN THE PLANTS.

SO ONE WAY TO REDUCE THE BACK AND FORTH IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE, IS TO USE THEIS WONDERFUL MATERIAL CALLED FLOATING ROW COVER.

IT'S A LIGHTWEIGHT POLYESTER THAT LETS THE SUN THROUGH AS THE PLANTS GROW, IT LIFTS UP BECAUSE IT IS SO LIGHTWEIGHT.

IT WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF DEGREES OF FROST PROTECTION, AND WILL KEEP THE IND FROM HARMING THE LEAVES.

SO WHAT I DO IS LOOK FOR A PLACE IN THE SHADE OUT OF STRONG WINDS FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS, AND I WILL SET THE PLANTS OUT, AND THEN PUT THE FLOATING ROW COVER ON TOP AND THEN THEY'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO TOUGH IT OUT.

NO MORE IN AND OUT, YOU'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU WATER THEM, AND IF IT'S GOING TO GET SEVERELY COLD AT NIGHT, WELLBY SEVERE 32 DEGREES OR DOWN CLOSE TO IT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO BRING THEM IN.

BUT OTHERWISE GET SOME FLOATING ROW COVER.

JOIN ME NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PLANTING THE GARDEN.