On Sat, 21 May 2011 13:17:06 -0400, Gary Woods
wrote:

Judith wrote:

I'd be interested in the experiences of others - and views as to whether it is
worth it.

I'm new to greenhousing, having got mine put up this sprig:
My guess is that if you do as the commercial greenhouses do: optimum
temps, light, feeding; everything for the quickest growth to saleable size,
hardening off is probably a good idea. If you're "economical" like me, and
don't like to pay for supplemental heat, and don't feed all that heavily,
the plants won't have such a radical adjustment to the great outdoors.
One of the many things I've got to do is rig up a few 12-volt computer
fans, probably powered by the solar panel I bought a while back, to keep
the air stirred up. I understand a bit of exercise is good for plants,
too!

I read somewhere that runner beans like to be "stroked" in the green house as
it simulated the movement in the wind and hardened up the stems.
(True or old wives tale, I do not know)