Beefsteak tomato from the $10 Garden Seed Kit.
Many of you have been growing your seeds from the $10 Garden Seed Kit for your spring garden indoors for about 6 weeks now. You’ve been giving them lots of love by watering and fertilizing them. You’ve been preparing them for the transition to the big outdoors by hardening them off. Finally, they day is here – it’s time to get them planted outdoors in the garden. What an exciting day!
Follow these simple tips and your seedling’s transition from indoors to outdoors is sure to be a success!
Transplant seedlings when they have 3-4 sets of “true” or adult leaves.
How big should seedlings be before transplanting outdoors?
Although there is no absolute rule of how big a seedling should be to transplant outdoors, I like to transplant my seedlings when they have 3-4 sets of true leaves. True leaves are different from the baby leaves that the seedling has when it first sprouts. They are the adult leaves that look like the leaves of the veggie you are growing. Transplanting at this stage will ensure that the seedling will be strong enough to weather the outdoor elements in a larger container or in your garden.
When to plant outdoors?
In order to make transplanting a successful process, the right timing is critical. Put them outside too soon and they may not be ready for the harsher outdoor environment. If you wait too long to transplant, they may become stunted and root bound in their original containers.
If you live in a cold winter climate, it’s safe to move your warm weather seedlings outdoors after your last frost date of the season, and when the nights have warmed up to 50-65 degrees F on a regular basis. By waiting for the right time, your warm weather veggies won’t get damaged by frost. Find out here when your last frost date is.
Remove weeds, rocks and loosen the soil.
Prepare you garden bed
Remove weeds and rocks in your garden bed and loosen the soil a few inches down. I like to use a pitchfork or hand cultivator and break up any large dirt chunks so the soil is nice and loose.
Add compost to your garden bed – organic!
Amend your soil
Most of us have less than perfect soil in our gardens and need amend (or improve) our soil with organic nutrients, such as compost. Compost only increases the nutrients in the soil, and loosens up compacted soil, so that air, water, nutrients and roots can penetrate.
Add a few inches of compost to your garden bed, working it in with your pitchfork or shovel. Next, thoroughly wet down your garden bed until the soil is nice and moist, but not muddy. Now you are ready to plant your garden!
Lay out your seedlings in your garden bed to make sure everything fits.
Lay out your plants
Before I plant a garden bed, I like to lay out my seedlings to get an idea of what will fit in my garden bed. Space them out according to the directions on
the seed packets, and check out my eBook “Growing 5 Warm Weather Veggies Made Easy” for for more specific info on how to grow each veggie.
Add organic nutrients to the planting hole to get your transplants off to a good start.
Dig a hole – add organic nutrients
Dig a hole a bit deeper and wider than the container your plant is in. Add some good organic nutrients to the planting hole. These nutrients feed your plant right away, gets it off to a good start and helps to avoid transplant shock. My favorite nutrients to the planting hole are Trifecta+(has quick release and slow release nutrients) and Vermisterra Worm Castings. You can purchase them for a 10% discount through the above links.
Time to Plant!
Carefully grasp the plant stem, turn your container over, and gently squeeze the container to loosen the plant. If you are using the containers made from recycled material, just peel away the container from the plant.
Carefully place your seedling in the hole you dug.
Place your plant in the hole you dug, cover with soil and water around the base of the plant. I like to water with Vermisterra Worm Tea, which is especially good for stimulating root development and helping your plant grow healthy and productive.
Plant your garden and enjoy the harvest that is coming soon!
Congratulations! Your spring garden is planted! Now all you need is some sunshine (and patience!) as you wait for your warm weather plants to grow and produce healthy, tasty veggies for you to eat and share with those you love most!
Watch the video from the $10 Garden Series on my YouTube channel, “Transplanting Seedlings into Your Garden, Prepping and Amending Soil” so you know exactly what to do.
Comment below if you are transplanting your seedlings in your garden and let me know what you are especially excited about growing this spring. Happy Gardening!
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Thanks for this info! I was not planning to garden this year because I am afraid that it will not work for me. I am a newbie at this and I live in an apartment but I would like to create a plant bed on the backyard of my dad’s house. I have no clue how to build one so I feel that that is what deters me from gardening fruits and veggies. However, this blog gives me hope so I wonder if you have any suggestions for me. Thanks, Liz!
Hi, Elizabeth! So glad that you are finding inspiration here for gardening- we were all newbies at one time! You can definitely garden in your apartment- lots of people do! =)
Have you checked out my recent video on Growing Large Veggies in Small Containers? You can find it here: https://youtu.be/xKKuI-RHcvk I love using the smart pots- they are SO easy and inexpensive! No building knowledge required! You can purchase them through my website Amazon store here: http://calikimgardenandhome.com/my-amazon-store/
Click on the link marked “containers” and you will find the Smart Pots listed. Every purchase made through the Amazon link on my website helps me keep bringing you great gardening content! =)
Keep me updated on how it goes and happy gardening!
I’m prepping some of my veggies that prefer the cooler temperatures to go outdoors now. Wisconsin weather is so unpredictable we could get snow tomorrow.
Hi, Brittney! Amazing the swings of weather that spring can bring in those northern states! Im sure Wisconsin is still beautiful this time of year though…Would love to hear what you have planted and ready to go in the garden? Stay warm and happy gardening!
Yes, it is indeed time to plant. I put out 17 tomato plants today and I’m going to plant rattlesnake beans, squash and melons next week (maybe some okra too!).
Wow, Tim! Sounds like it must be warm in your gardening zone right now. You should have a bumper crop of tomatoes! What fun recipes do you use them all in? What varieties are your favorites? Thanks for stopping by and happy gardening!
Hi,
I just wanted to thank you for having this site. I learn something every time that I go on it. I am just getting ready to transplant some plants that I have been tending for several weeks, and was wondering how to get past transplant shock. Now I know!
Thanks again and keep up the great work!
You are so welcome, Christie! Im soo glad you found information that was helpful for you! What all are you putting in your garden right now? Thanks for stopping by- happy gardening!
Hi Kim
I have been following you for a while now and finally was able to put together my garden
I live in Texas so it’s doing great
I’ve planted tomatoes,squash,beans ,corn and even a watermelon but that was an accident somehow the tags were switched at the store and I wasn’t paying attention but anyhow I will try it …. thanks for the instructions and videos
Wow, Ava! Sounds like you will have a fun harvest season in a few months! =) I bet Texas is just beautiful right now- are you planning to put any more plants in this year? I always end up with a few “surprise” plants too- it just happens. Definitely keep things interesting in the garden! So glad you stopped by to say hello!
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added-
checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the exact same comment.
Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Appreciate it!
Thanks for reading my blog and commenting! I don’t believe I can do this from my end. Did you turn the notifications off to see if this fixed the problem?
I love watching you and MIgardener videos. You both are a gardening inspiration. Thank you for all you do to make our gardening experience worthwhile
Thank you for your encouraging words! Love MIGardener- such great products! Just a privilege to work with him. What are you growing in your garden this season? Thanks for watching!