First of all I am new to the site and just wanted to say hello to everybody.... I also thought I would jump right in and ask a question. I live in Pensacola,FL and am going to start Tomato, Peppers, Lemon Cucumber, and few others in a hoop house over my raised bed. I think it should be warm enough since my spinach just went to seed. oops! Anyways is there anything I need to do to harden the plant off other then roll up the sides after a few weeks? Not sure if it matters but I will be starting them in Soil cubes.

Hi, Rick. to ATP!

Someone with more experience than I have with growing veggies in your area would probably be better equipped to answer your question, but just to clarify....

You're starting seeds in soil cubes outdoors, or indoors?

I harden off my seedlings by taking them outside for an hour or so per day, first in the shade and then in the sun. I increase the amount of time they spend outside until finally they stay out all day (that might take a week).

I think getting used to the wind and the sun are the two things you're really looking for when hardening off seedlings. Keeping an eye on them and seeing how they respond give you clues as to whether they need more or less exposure to the elements. They'll either thrive (leave them there) or wither a bit (bring them in for recovery at that point).

Thanks for the help! I was going to start them right in the hoop house. So they should be fine with the sun. I will just have to introduce them to the wind slowly.

Good plan. You'll have good success!

Just a thought: if wind is the main stress, rolling up the sides might expose them abruptly.

Is there something you can stick around the bed to slow the wind down? Brush? Slats?

Or maybe roll up just one side at first, or the ends.

I'm just guessing - I don't have experience under plastic YET.

I'm planning to start seeds indoors in trays, then move them outside when it's still too cold, but under a plastic hoop tunnel serving as a solar cold frame. Probably have to pull that away in the daytime after a while, and only put it back in late afternoon to keep them warm at night.

If wind presents a problem, set a fan on them inside and gradually (over days) increase the fan speed. It will make a sturdier transplant.

I live on the coast so we usaually have a breeze. I think that starting by just rolling up one side is a good way to start as well. This is my first time making mistakes (I mean learning) with plastic covers. Too hot for winter crops down here in Florida under the plastic. 2 inch high spinach went right to seed. LOL.... I also planted spinach in black plastic pots with no cover. They are doing great. So I figure if it is that hot in there, why not try starting seeds in there.

by just rolling up one side

Be sure to vent it or you may lose the whole hoop house to high winds. Good luck.

Very good point pod. Thank you

I started my tomatoes and peppers indoors last year, but moved them under my hoop houses once they sprouted. I opened the ends first for several days, then moved the plants out to a place that gets sun about half the day (remember that your plastic blocks some light, so they can still get shocked by full sun) and near the house for wind protection. I had very healthy, sturdy seedlings, though I did have a bit of phosphorus deficiency, which means I should have let it warm up a bit more before moving the plants out.