I started my tomato and pepper plants indoors

[Horse with no Name]

The peppers are just now sprouting and the tomato plants are about 2 inches tall.
How long does it take to get them hearty enough to plant outside?

The tomatoes are Roma and the peppers are jalapeno.

[NMDemDist2]

1. they need to have 'true' leaves on them and you need to 'harden off' them

before they can go outside.

Step 1:
Begin hardening off your seedlings about a week before their transplant date. (Check the seed packet for the estimated date in your area; it varies depending on the variety of plant.) Keep the seedlings well watered throughout the process.

Step 2:
Set the containers (whether flats or individual pots) in a sheltered, shady spot outdoors. A covered porch is an ideal starter spot, so is a table or bench under a leafy tree. Bring the plants back inside at night, and bring them in at any time of day if the weather turns cold, windy or rainy.

Step 3:
Expose the plants gradually to more sun. After two or three days, you can safely keep them in the sun for half a day, then return them to the shade. By the end of the week they'll be tough enough to soak up the rays all day.

Step 4:
Transplant the seedlings to the garden on an overcast day to ease the shock of transition from pot to ground. If a light mist is falling, so much the better.

another tip is to cut the bottoms out of milk cartons and use them as a mini greenhouse when you move your babies outside.

congrats on your seedlings, I planted right into my planter and have about a dozen carrots, 8 broccolis and 6 radish already sprouted

:woohoo:

[BOSSHOG]

2. I started early last year

and a hard freeze wiped me out so I'm being more patient this year. Had a pretty cool night last night, swung by the feed and seed this morning and their plants look like heck. The patience thing is, however, killing me. My snapdragons are monsters though.

[NMDemDist2]

3. that's why I only did the bathtub. It's small enough to throw a blanket over if

it looks like it's gonna get real cold and I mostly only put in the 'cool crops'

although I do have one tomato peeking it's head up :bounce:

[sazemisery]

5. Mississippi has a last frost date of March 27th

Take it easy, Bosshog, just a few more days.:hi:

I have to wait until April 14th or so. My tomato plants started in the spare bedroom and went to the greenhouse after they had 2 sets of leaves.

[K8-EEE]

4. PEPPERS AND TOMATOES ARE THE MOST MAGICAL THINGS IN THE VEGGIE KINGDOM!

Let's see -- I have red and yellow and CHOCOLATE COLORED (!!!!) bells, and jalepeno, and thai hot chilis.....I LOVE LOVE LOVE PEPPERS!

I have celebrity, Mr. Stripey, Early Girl, beefsteak & Roma tomatoes so far.