Growing veggies or fruits from seed is a fun way to add new and unusual varieties to your garden. Starting your seeds 
indoors gives you a head start so you have transplants ready to put into your garden when the weather cooperates.
A common question I am asked is “when and how and do I transplant my indoor seedlings?”
In order to make transplanting a successful process, the right timing everything! 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.
Timing Tip #1 – When to Transplant
Although there is no absolute rule of how big a seedling should be transplanted, I like to transplant when my seedlings have 3-4 sets of true leaves. The first leaves to emerge from a seedling are the cotyledons. These “baby” leaves provide food for the seedling until the true leaves grow. True leaves are the “adult” leaves, and will help feed the plant long term. Transplanting at this time in the seedling’s life will ensure that the it has the nutrients it needs to sustain itself in a larger container or in your garden.
How to Transplant
I started seeds for my fall garden indoors in peat pellets in August. They quickly outgrew the peat pellets and developed their true leaves. I had two options at this point, transplant directly in to the garden, or into larger containers. What to do?
Enter foam cups. Since my seedlings are cool weather veggies, and it’s still a bit hot outside, I chose to transplant them from the peat pellets into foam cups.
Foam cups make quick work of the transplanting process, buying my seedlings time, and helping them grow bigger and stronger until the weather cools off and they are ready for the garden.
A few reasons I like using foam cups (my fav is the 16 oz size) for transplanting:
- quick – punching drainage holes with a nail is a breeze – I punch multiple cups at once – a real time saver!
- simple – nothing fancy here folks, just a foam cup
- inexpensive – readily available, and can be used multiple seasons.
Watch the video “Transplanting Seedings” on my YouTube channel to see how quick and easy it is:
Timing Tip #2 – Hardening Off
Now that my seedlings are transplanted into their new home, they are ready to get their fill of sunshine durin
g the day on my deck, right? Not so quickly! They need to be hardened off before they are outdoors 24/7. What does this mean?
Hardening off is simply the process of transitioning seedlings from growing indoors to outdoors. Think of your indoor seedlings like babies growing in a sheltered indoor environment. Light and temperature are regulated. There is no wind or rain for them to deal with. Your babies are not ready to go out into the big, bad world all at once. Taking the time to transition them to the outdoors gradually, helps them acclimate to what they will face in the garden and have a much better chance to survive and thrive.
Watch the video “Hardening off Seedlings” from my YouTube channel to see exactly what to do so your seedlings are ready for outdoor growing and produce lots of veggies for you to eat.
Comment below: Did you start your fall or spring seeds indoors? Did you transplant them and/or harden them off yet? What other timing steps do you feel are critical to help your plants survive and thrive in your garden?
See you in the garden,
CaliKim
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Hi,
I am having a 100% failure rate on growing Leeks from seed. The Leeks sprout just fine and are planted at the correct depth. They shoot up and fall over and die. I have them in the house by a window and the temp is in the low 70’s and water daily. Any suggestions?? I’m in Oklahoma 74960 zone 6b
Thanks, Lynn
I know you like foam cups and I can see why BUT…I really try to stay away from them because they are so bad for the environment. Have you used an alternative cup that might be more earth friendly?
Hello Robin, I hear ya! I’ll have to do some more research on an alternative – small cups that are reasonably priced, made from sustainable materials and break down quickly. I’ve read that even paper cups take just as long to breakdown as styrofoam in the landfill. If you hear of anything in the meantime, please do let me know!
I have made newspaper cups. Tear a strip of newspaper wide enough to cover the can and leave a little extra at the bottom to fold over. Wrap the can, smash the extra to make the cup bottom. You can either plant them with the seedling, or I have removed them and shredded them to be used in my worm bins. So the newspaper had three lives! Not as convenient as the foam, but better for the environment. And I put my niece and nephews to work on it while watching movies when it is too cold to go outside so I have them ready for my seedlings.
So sorry to have missed your comment in the Christmas rush, Kimmie. That is a fantastic idea, especially if you can get your nieces and nephews to work on it for you. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi, Kim!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us all. Your knowledge and wisdom has been a game changer for me and my family! I’ve decided to muster up the courage to grow a fall garden, here in Texas. Our hot climates are similar, I believe, and you’ve shown me how to save my plants! My question is regarding seed starting. Where do I find the 3-4” peat pellets? I’ve looked on Amazon and they list a 42mm and 36 but when I convert the measurements, it looks smaller than the 3-4” you speak of. None of my garden stores have them. The big box stores have told me they only supply them in the Spring.
Will you help me?
Keep up the good work!
You make a difference,
Tori Eudy
Hi Tori,
So glad you are growing a fall garden with me! You can protect your fall seedlings in the heat with shade cloth, it’s a lifesaver here in the Southern California heat. I’ve only been able to find the large peat pellets online, here’s a link to all 3 sizes,
PEAT PELLETS:
Large (50mm)- 35 count: http://amzn.to/2ftggYR , 150 count: http://amzn.to/2FJablE
Medium (42Mmm) 50 count: https://amzn.to/2KSnMtq, 100 count: https://amzn.to/2vEfUGT
Small (36mm): https://amzn.to/2J25c24
Let me know how it goes and thanks for stopping by the blog!