transplanting seedlings from peat pellets

In the early spring, replant the plants, leaving two to three feet in between them. Remove the plants, roots and all, and store them in a root cellar, refrigerator, or cold basement, being sure to keep the roots damp and cold during the winter. Don’t rush the process, and soon enough you will be reaping the rewards of a beautiful and bountiful garden.Ĭlick “Learn More” to explore more of Seed Savers Exchange’s growing guides, crop-by-crop, and plant care resources.ĭid you know that the number of cabbage varieties in the commercial seed trade has decreased by 52 percent in just three decades, from 199 in 1981 to 95 in 2020? You can help preserve the remaining varieties, and bolster biodiversity, by planting this biennial crop and saving its seed! To save cabbage seed, select at least three firm, ready-to-eat cabbage heads in the fall. Keep in mind that the key to moving your seedlings successfully into the great outdoors is taking your time. Tamp down the soil gently but firmly. If your climate is very dry, spread mulch around the seedling to inhibit moisture loss.Ĭheck on your plants regularly and be sure to keep the soil moist while they are getting established in their new home. Place the plant into the hole at about the same depth that it grew in its pot, being sure to cover its roots with soil. This helps encourage the development of strong roots. It should be moist but not soaking wet.ĭig a hole that’s a bit bigger than the plant’s root ball and gently loosen the roots before setting the plant into the hole. Work in compost to enrich the soil.Ĭhoose an overcast day to avoid intense sun, which can stress your seedlings.Ĭheck your garden soil. Prep your garden by loosening the soil and removing any rocks and weed roots. When transplanting, be sure to follow these steps: According to the Old Farmers Almanac, “transplanting” means moving seedlings from pots inside to garden soil outside. Now that you’ve hardened off your plants, they’re ready to transplant. Keep the soil moist at all times during the hardening-off period.

Each day, leave your seedlings outside for an hour more than you did the previous one, gradually exposing them to more sunlight and wind until they are able to spend an entire night outside. Lengthen outdoor time for your plants bit by bit. Place your seedlings outside for an hour or two in mid- to late-afternoon, in a spot that will protect them from direct wind and sunlight. (Check the USDA Hardiness Zone Map to get an idea of when you might begin this process in your region.) When hardening off your plants, be sure to follow these steps:

Why? Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers, for example, can be weakened by temperatures that are too cool. Outdoor temperatures should reach at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit before you begin the hardening-off process. During this period, your plants are getting sturdier, making them better able to adapt to the vagaries of summer weather. And while hardening off doesn’t take a lot of time, it does require some vigilance. This important step reduces the chance of transplant shock and promotes healthy growth. Hardening off simply means gradually acclimating plants started indoors to the outdoor elements-sunlight, wind, and rain-that they will face for the rest of the growing season. But before you move your seedlings from your home or greenhouse into your garden-or, in gardening lingo, transplant them!-you’ll want to harden them off. You’ve spent time, energy, and effort nurturing those veggie, herb, and flower starts-and now it’s time to introduce them to the great outdoors.

Transplanting seedlings from peat pellets