How to Transplant Seedlings to Your Garden

If you've decided to start your own plants from seed, or even have bought seedling plants from a garden supply store, at some point you will have to transplant them to the garden. Here are the basic steps on how to successfully transplant your seedling plants into your garden.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Seedling plants
• Hoe, spade or garden trowel
• Water
• Liquid fertilizer

1. 1. Using a hoe, spade or garden trowl, make a small hole for each seedling plant to be planted in.

2. 2. Unpot the seedling from the container it is growing in, making sure to keep the root mass and soil intact. If you are having a hard time removing the plant from the container, do not yank it out. Gently tap the sides of the container, and slowly work on pulling the plant free.

3. 3. Spread the roots out and check their condition. If they are diseased and rotted, throw the plants away rather than plant them in your garden.

4. 4. Fill each of the planting holes with a small amount of water and liquid fertilizer.

5. 5. Place seedlings in the hole. Seedling plants should be planted to a depth that will cover their first "true" leaves.

6. 6. Cover soil around the roots, and gently tamp the soil down. Then, create a small basin around the plant to hold water. Add a small amount of water to the basin.

7. 7. Keep the soil around the plants adequately watered until plants are well established.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare all of your planting holes before removing any plants from their containers.
• Make sure your liquid fertilizer is well diluted. Too strong of a fertilizer can burn young plants.