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Step 1
Seedlings have small root systems and are susceptible to drying out once they are planted in the garden. To prevent this problem it is important to fully hydrate the seedlings and your garden’s soil prior to planting. Twenty four hours prior to planting, water your seedling until water streams out the bottom of its pot and the root ball is completely soaked. Two hours prior to planting, water your garden’s soil well, making sure that the soil is wet to at least the depth of your seedling’s root ball. Water the seedling again 1 hour prior to planting.
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Step 2
The best time of day to plant seedlings is in the evening, when the heat of the day is diminishing and the sun is low in the sky. Planting at this time minimizes the amount of water the seedling and your garden’s soil will lose to evaporation.
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Step 3
When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole in the garden that is two to three times wider than the seedling’s pot, but exactly the same depth. Remove the seedling from its pot by first gently squeezing the pot to help loosen the root ball. Then, turn the pot on its side, gently grasp the seedling’s leaves and slowly remove the plant from the pot. It is very important to handle the seedling by its leaves rather than its tender stem. If you damage the stem while transplanting, the plant may not recover.
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Step 4
Gently massage the seedling’s roots apart. Place the seedling in the hole and double-check to make sure that the seedling is level with the soil line. Backfill the hole with soil.
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Step 5
Rather than tamping down the soil, water the plant in with a gentle stream (I prefer to use a watering can fitted with a rain nozzle). Add additional soil if needed, then pour 1 cup of diluted liquid fish emulsion around the base of the plant. I also often spread a ½-inch layer of compost over the soil to keep down weeds and give the plant a steady supply of nutrients as it grows.
