Transplanting Basics

 At this point you probably have weeks of time invested into your seedlings. You’ve made sure they had enough light, water, and nutrients to thrive, you’ve hardened them off, prepped your seedling beds, and now you’re ready to plant them. Don’t ruin all those weeks of work by using poor transplanting habits. Some plants are more frost/cold tolerant than others, and you’ll want to take that into consideration when putting those seedlings outdoors. Some seedlings, like those of peppers, cucumbers and squashes, eggplants and tomatoes can easily be damaged by frosts. While others like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprout seedlings can handle some degree of frost and are less likely to be damaged. And don’t forget to get your peas, chards and kale direct seeded if you haven’t already done it! They can also handle some degree of frost and will be perfectly happy in the cooler days (if we have any left this spring).

Newly transplanted squash

When transplanting make sure that the seedlings are well watered before planting. Transplanting is incredibly stressful, and you want to make this transition as easy as possible for them. Stressed plants/seedlings are more susceptible to diseases and environmental conditions (cold, heat, water loss) so try to keep them happy.

Support the stem and try not to pull on it - pulling can damage it

Before you transplant anything you should have a master plan. Having a predefined plan of where each plant is going will help maximize your space, and later in the season can help reduce your diseases.  After you’ve figured out where everything is going then we can start planting. Determine the spacing you want your plants to be. Your seed packets have recommended spacings that should guide you in this. First make a hole in the soil where you are going to put your plant. Then gently loosen the plant from the pot by pushing the root ball from the bottom of the pot. 

Never pull a plant out of the pot by the stem or leaves. Place the seedling into the hole in the ground you’ve already made and place it so the potting mix is slightly (~1/4”) below the soil line. Then use the surrounding soil it to make it level. Potting mix is lighter and has less organic matter than most soil. This means that it dries out much quicker. By covering the top of the potting mix with a layer of soil you protect it from drying out too quickly. After you’ve completed your transplanting it’s time to water everything. Give the seedlings a good solid soaking, this will promote root growth deep into the soil, and ease the shock of transplanting. 

D. Hulbert (MSU Entomologist) helps move soil to level the planting

Especially early during the season frosts can still be a danger. Don't let all the hard work go to waste by letting the freeze. In the Lansing area our final frost date is June 15th! Remember sheets, tarps and blankets can protect those perky plants from deadly frosts. Just be sure to check the weather each evening. 

(Kansas State University) http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/doc1793.ashx 

(Purdue) (http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-66.pdf)