How to Transplant Plants and Seedlings Successfully

Seedlings grow rapidly and caring for them properly will give you the most success for mature, fruit-bearing, plants. Ordering plantlings from companies and transplanting them upon delivery is also crucial to successfully growing mature plants. Learn how to transplant your seedlings successfully so they thrive in their new location!

How to Transplant Seedlings

Seedlings usually need to be transplanted twice. Once from their germination pod or cube, into a large cup or pot. Then, once again outdoors into your garden. The process of transplanting can be hard on the tiny plant, especially if done too suddenly and without taking the correct precautions. I had the wonderful opportunity of working with Ferry-Morse on transplanting their lovely plantings sets!

When I first started gardening, I always lost plants in the transplanting phase, as I was too quick to plant and didn’t prepare my garden (or the plant) for transplanting. 

What is Transplanting?

The act of transplanting is planting seedlings from their initial germination pots to either, larger pots, or outdoors in the garden. 

• This can refer to seedlings you have started from seeds, at home. This is normally what I do, as I live in a colder climate, and starting seedlings allows me to get a head start on the short growing season.
• This can also refer to seedlings purchased from a nursery or online seed company such as Ferry-Morse. In fact, Ferry-Morse gifted me their Plantlings Garden Starter Kit, containing 12 new little plantlings! Started by the experts at Ferry-Morse. Plantlings arrive with strong, established root systems to help gardeners that don’t have the time, space, or desire to start seeds. They’re a simple way to get a head start on the growing season.

Transplanting is a great option for many plants, but some plants do better being sown directly into the soil. Be aware of those plants before starting seeds.

How to Prevent (or Lessen) Transplant Shock

Transplant shock occurs when plants are abruptly moved from one location to another.

This can cause wilting of leaves, the drop of flowers or fruit, dying branches, or even the death of the plant. Some plants always have a hard time with a transplant, even with proper preparation. However, there are ways to lessen transplant shock. 

Whenever transplanting seedlings or even larger plants, there are many things to consider. One important factor is to fertilize once planted, and to keep the soil moist until the plants have established themselves.

I worked with Ferry-Morse Seed Company on the delivery and transplanting of plantlings. With their transplant kit, offered by Jiffy, came liquid fertilizer to promote the growth and success of these plants. Using fertilizer is a great way to help your transplanted seedlings fight transplant shock. 

Related: The Benefit of Planting Marigolds in Your Vegetable Garden

When to Transplant Seedlings

Transplanting seedlings occurs once seedlings are too large for their germination pods or they have matured and outgrown their pots. You will need to establish them in a large space so they have room to grow and the nutrients to thrive. 

Transplanting into Pots

Transplanting into pots is essential when you have newly germinated seedlings. This will occur once the first set of true leaves comes in, not the initial seed leaves. New seedlings will need to be planted into pots to allow for more root growth, so they can have a strong start when transferred outdoors. 

You will also want to transplant any newly purchased plants that you order online, such as the planting sets offered by Ferry-Morse. 

Pair your Plantlings order with the Pot Up Your Seedlings and Transplant Kit from Ferry-Morse and you’ll have everything you need to transplant directly to your garden!

Transplanting from pots into the Garden

Before transplanting into the soil, it’s essential that you harden off your seedling, as described in detail below. It’s also important to prepare your garden soil for new seedlings. 

When preparing garden soil there are a number of things to consider. First, it’s important to consider the temperature of the soil.

Whether the soil is warm enough to encourage growth is the first step to planting directly into the ground. Research each plant to find out when they would be happiest. Melons, squashes, and peppers love warm soil, while plants like lettuce or broccoli prefer soil on the cooler side. 

Related: Cheap and Free Soil Amendments

The next step is to make sure the soil is aerated and weed-free. There are many different planting styles. Some people love raised beds, others practice no-till or back to Eden gardening.

Regardless, when transplanting, you always need a weed-free environment to allow your plants to thrive. Aerating the soil allows for root growth, water drainage, and extra air to get your plants to thrive. 

Hardening Off Seedlings

Hardening off your seedlings is essential for your newly transplanted plants to thrive outdoors. This is a process of getting your indoor plants acclimated to their outdoor environment before planting.

The process of hardening off seedlings is to place your seedlings outdoors in a mild environment, such as dappled shade in a non-windy area. Do this daily for 7-10 days in order to allow for your plants to get used to the weather outdoors and the air movement.

Keep the plant soil moist throughout this entire period to reduce stress on the plants. If at some point the weather changes and is too drastic, bring your plants inside to keep them safe. 

After 10 days, gently transplant your seedlings outdoors to the prepared soil and continue to water daily until the plants have established. Some wilting is normal, but your plants shouldn’t look like they are dying. 

Growing a Successful Garden

Transplanting seedlings is only one of many steps to a successful garden. Check out these additional posts to help you make the most of your gardening season.

• A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Seedlings Indoors 
• Easy to Grow Vegetables for Beginners
• Planning a Spring Vegetable Garden

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