Other species, such as Marigolds, Chrysanthemums, Coleus, Cosmos, Impatiens and Tomatoes do not mind if the lower part of their stems is buried and will root readily along the buried portion of the stem.ĭo not bury leaves. These include: Gerbera, Gazania, Pansy, Petunia, Primula, Salvia, Zinnia, Ageratum, Begonia, Cabbage, Lettuce, Pepper and others. Some plants, especially those with base branching habits, do not like to have their stems buried. Your catalog and packet instructions recommend optimum spacing. Space them far enough apart so that each plant can grow to maturity without overcrowding its neighbor. We recommend doing this in small groups so your plants don’t wilt before you plant them. To get proper spacing, place your transplants on the surface of the garden bed in an arrangement that pleases you. Level out any depressions and remove hard clods, rocks and sticks. If your soil needs fertilizer or pH correction, take care of these tasks before you turn or rake the soil for the last time.īefore planting, smooth the surface of your bed with a garden rake. Your transplants will grow best and reward you the most if they are set out into well-prepared garden soil. When they are tough enough to go through the day without wilting, it’s time to plant them in the garden or container. Move transplants to a half-sun location for two more days. (If they wilt anyway, bring them back inside until they perk up again.) Bring them back indoors each evening.Īfter two days, leaves and stems should be stronger. Move the trays of transplants outdoors to a sheltered, shady place out of the wind. This will encourage your plants to grow a stronger stem. You can help prepare the plants by running a tabletop fan on them while they are indoors to simulate the wind or just gently run your hand over the tops of the plants when you check on them. It is best to let them "harden off" gradually for several days before planting in the garden. Transplants that have been raised indoors are soft and must get used to sun, wind and rain. Plants for container gardens should be set out at this same stage. While each type is different, a good rule of thumb is to set plants out when the seedling has two to four sets of true leaves. If you must wait for ideal planting weather, you may have to move the plant into a larger size pot, so it doesn’t become root-bound. Plants are definitely ready for the garden when roots grow through the bottoms of their containers, but you can hold most types up to four more weeks before planting. If your transplants set flower buds or bloom before planting out time, disbud them or cut off the blooms. It’s best to set your transplants out before they begin to bloom since a young garden plant needs its energy to grow roots, not flowers. The plant will then send out shoots from the stem and increase the fullness of your plant. A small pair of pruning shears does a better job than fingers. Leave plenty of foliage and some branches so growth can continue, but pinch off just above a leaf or branch. If you started flower seeds that form a bushy shape, you may have to pinch them back. Feed once a week using a water-soluble fertilizer. Let the surface of the grow mix become dry to the touch between watering (lower layers of soil should still never dry out). Shop for Seed Starting SuppliesĪfter seedlings are established, with healthy roots spreading through the grow mix, they will need a drier medium and less frequent but more concentrated feedings. The easiest way to provide for your seedlings is to start them in a seed starter kit under a grow light. Your seed packet instructions and the Park Seed Catalog’s Cultural Index give detailed information about each type of plant, including how long the seeds take to germinate and how long until your vegetable seeds will yield produce, or your flowers will be in bloom. Growing seeds on to garden size plants may take only a week or it may take several months, depending on the species. Below we’ve mapped out additional care tips to follow after transplanting your seedlings from indoors to outdoors. After that, they should be ready for bright light. To speed recovery, keep them quite moist and out of the sun for two days and then give filtered sun or half-day sun for two days. Unfortunately, when you move seedlings outdoors, there’s a chance they may droop or wilt somewhat right after transplanting if some roots were broken or disturbed.
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