What are you trying to protect them from?

Keriann~

I am a little confused too. What are you trying to protect them from? Are you trying to create a shelter to harden them off? Is so, I have never heard of this. Please explain more!

Sarah

If it's for cutworm protection, I would remove the bottoms so you have just a cylinder and cut it down the side with tinsnips so that (with gloves) you could spread the can a little to remove it after the stem is big and too tough for worms.

Yes indeed a common practice up here on the windy prairie. Cans with both ends removed used as a sleeve for wind and cut worms, you will have plenty of sun for growth. I still have 3 lb coffee cans I use for tomatoes. As a side effect it makes watering very easy and contained.

Curt:-)

I also use large coffee cans with both ends cut out for wind protection for my tomatoes. They seem to do better with the coffee cans than with other methods I've tried.

Thanks for all the responses. trying to keep the rabbits and cut worms off my seedlings. I only have soup cans; don't do coffee, but I think I'll try rock guy's suggestion of the tin snips to widen them. I'm glad they'll still get plenty of sun.
Thanks all!
Susan