Transplantation
Transplanting plants to your garden from inside or from one place to another is often a tricky proposition. You may be moving a large flowering shrub, a seedling tomato or a zinnia that you've planted from seed but the procedure that you follow is similar for all. Watering those transplants is probably the most important--and most neglected part of the process.
Transplanting plants to your garden from inside or from one place to another is often a tricky proposition. You may be moving a large flowering shrub, a seedling tomato or a zinnia that you've planted from seed but the procedure that you follow is similar for all. Watering those transplants is probably the most important--and most neglected part of the process.
Houseplants and potted plants are especially susceptible to transplant shock. If you remember two words--gentle and frequent--you should have success.
Procedure
-Double-check the planting date on the seed packet, in a comprehensive garden book or on the plastic tag stuck into the soil (for plants you bought at a nursery).
-Double-check the planting date on the seed packet, in a comprehensive garden book or on the plastic tag stuck into the soil (for plants you bought at a nursery).
-Some cold-tolerant varieties such as cauliflower can go into the ground a bit earlier; heat lovers such as tomatoes should wait until the ground has thoroughly warmed up.
-'Harden off' your seedlings by leaving them outdoors for longer and longer periods.
-Start by sheltering the young plants under
a porch or bench by day, then bringing them back in by night or during inclement weather.
a porch or bench by day, then bringing them back in by night or during inclement weather.
-After two or three days, you can safely keep them in the sun for half a day. By the end of a
week, they'll be tough enough to soak up the rays all day.
week, they'll be tough enough to soak up the rays all day.
-If you can, 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. Water both the outside ground and the plants before you move them into the garden.
-Remove each plant from its pot by turning it upside down and tapping lightly on the bottom; it will slide out easily.
-Gently run your fingers through the roots to loosen them a little.
-Use a trowel to dig a hole about twice the size of the rootball and set the plant into the hole so the rootball will be covered by about 1/4 inch of soil.
-Press the soil firmly around the roots to ensure good soil-to-root contact.
-Space the plants according to the directions.
-Water well immediately after transplanting and again every day until the plants are well established and growing - usually
within a week.
within a week.
-If some plants show signs of wilting, shield
them with a lath screen or a piece of lattice until they perk up,which shouldn't take more than a few days.
them with a lath screen or a piece of lattice until they perk up,which shouldn't take more than a few days.
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