You know the saying, “If you don’t get out of your comfort zone, you’ll never grow?” Well, some plants feel the same way. Transplanting means moving plants from A to B. If you love gardening or want to start, you’ll be doing this a lot. This blog post will teach you how to properly transplant your greens so that you can keep growing your garden and getting fresh food all year. Now, let’s get digging!.
Starting herbs from seed is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. It’s exciting to see those first tiny sprouts emerge in your seed trays! But soon your baby herb plants will outgrow their cramped quarters and need more legroom. Knowing the right time to transplant herb seedlings is key to avoiding stunting their growth or shocking them
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover
- How to identify when seedlings are ready
- Optimal size for transplanting
- Step-by-step instructions
- Hardening off techniques
- Aftercare tips for healthy transplants
Follow these best practices for stress-free transplanting and you’ll have thriving herbs in no time!
Signs Your Herb Seedlings Are Ready for Transplanting
Determining the perfect transplant timing comes down to the maturity of your seedlings. Here are the signs to look for:
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Emergence of true leaves – The first round leaves are actually part of the seed itself. Look for the next set of new growth to appear.
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Roots visible through drainage holes – Healthy white roots peeking out the bottom mean your seedling is getting rootbound.
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3-4 sets of true leaves – Ideal size is at least 3 leaves but before crowding occurs.
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Stems lengthen and leaves reach for light – Plants getting leggy indicate it’s time to transplant into roomier pots.
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Outgrowing cell space – Leaves pushing up on the lid or getting crammed signal that more space is needed.
Check seedlings daily for these cues. Transplanting too early or late can hinder growth. Now let’s look at optimal transplant timing…
When to Transplant Herb Seedlings Based on Growth Stage
To ensure the best results, transplant seedlings at the following growth phases:
After 2-3 Sets of True Leaves Emerge
Don’t rush to transplant immediately at the first true leaves. Wait until 2-3 sets appear to reduce shock to the delicate seedling.
Before Crowding Starts
Once leaves begin bumping into each other or stems appear spindly from lack of space, it’s go time. Transplant before major crowding as this stresses plants.
When Roots Show Through Drainage Holes
Visible roots circling the bottom mean your seedling is getting root bound. Carefully transplant to encourage healthy root spreading.
Before Reaching 2-3 Inches Tall
Seedlings more than 2-3 inches tall are prone to damage during transplanting. Move to larger pots before they get too large and unwieldy.
Follow these guidelines, and your herb seedlings will transition smoothly every time. Now let’s go over the transplanting process step-by-step…
How to Transplant Herb Seedlings in 4 Easy Steps
Transplanting is simple when you follow proper technique. Here are the key steps:
1. Prepare New Containers
Select pots 2-4 inches wider than your seedling cells. Avoid going more than 4 inches bigger, as the soil can hold too much moisture for tender roots.
Fill containers about 2/3 full with potting mix. Tamp down gently but avoid compacting fully. The soil should be light but stable enough to support the seedling.
2. Water Seedlings Well in Advance
Water your seedlings thoroughly 12-24 hours before transplanting. Well-hydrated plants experience less shock. Avoid watering right before as wet soil sticks and damages roots.
3. Carefully Remove Seedlings
Use a spoon or fingers to gently loosen soil and ease each plant out. Disturb roots as little as possible during removal. Keep seedlings upright at all times.
4. Plant in New Containers
Make a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. Place seedling inside and fill in gaps with potting mix. Firm the soil lightly but don’t pack too tight.
And you’re done! Just be sure to water transplants immediately after and keep out of direct sun until hardened off. Now let’s talk about hardening…
“Hardening Off” Transplants for a Week
Going straight from the indoors to garden can shock tender seedlings. Instead, follow these hardening off steps:
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Set transplants in shade for 2-3 days, bringing indoors at night.
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Move to partial sun for 2-3 days, still bringing in overnight.
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Finally place in full sun for 1-2 days before keeping outside 24/7.
Gradually acclimating plants allows leaves to thicken and cuticles to develop for protection. Take 7-10 days total to properly harden off transplants.
Aftercare Tips for Healthy Transplanted Seedlings
Help your new transplants thrive with proper aftercare:
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Water thoroughly right after transplanting and mist leaves daily for a week.
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Ensure transplants receive 8+ hours of sunlight per day for strong growth.
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Use stakes or tomato cages to support top-heavy, leggy seedlings prone to toppling.
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Apply organic balanced fertilizer at half-strength 2 weeks after transplanting.
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Monitor for pest and diseases and treat organically at first sightings.
With attentive aftercare your seedlings will flourish in their roomy new pots. Just remember to transplant at the right time, harden off gradually, and care for transplants properly. Soon you’ll be harvesting homegrown herbs!
To recap, follow this transplant timeline for success:
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.
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Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks after seedlings emerge or after hardening off.
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Water and fertilize lightly after transplanting.
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Harvest herbs once plants are established, generally after 4-6 weeks.
What is Transplanting, and Why Should We Do It?
Transplanting is when we move seedlings from their pots into the garden soil or a bigger container. If you’re someone who prefers purchasing seedlings or “transplants” from a garden center, then transplanting is an essential skill to master. The same goes for those of you who like to start your seeds indoors. We transplant seedlings because we want to give them enough space to grow and mature. Plants need lots of room to spread their roots, so it wouldn’t make sense to keep them in a tiny container forever – otherwise, they would die from not getting enough nourishment. If you have an overcrowded garden, the tendency is that your plants will stop producing because they are fighting for nutrients. But, you can save the day by transplanting your plants to a new location.
Get The Timing Right
Knowing when to transplant your seedlings outdoors varies on each plant. You should plant cool-season crops outside before it gets too hot, but if you move warm-season crops outside too early in the spring, they will get weak. Ensure that you also keep an eye on your local weather forecasts when preparing to transplant your seedlings. Warm-season crops shouldn’t be moved outside until the evening temperatures are consistently above 60°F. And if there’s a cold snap the night you decide to transplant your seedlings, well, let’s just say that they won’t have a happy ending.
Not only that, but if you are growing from seeds, you will need to remember when you planted them and check their growth to see when they are ready to be moved. In a small gardening journal or calendar, write down the dates of when to plant and when to transplant. This will help you plan your garden better in the future.
Here are the suggested times to transplant these different spring crops:
Tomatoes
If you start with seeds, don’t move the seedlings outside until they are at least 4 to 5 inches tall. Ensure that the temperature is at least 60°F outside (both day and night) since tomatoes are warm-season crops. Some gardeners will also suggest transplanting your tomatoes twice before moving them permanently to your outdoor garden. With the second move, the roots can get bigger and stronger, which makes the tomato plant healthier. In this case, you will need to wait until the tomato plants are at least 10 inches tall before moving them to the ground.
Peppers
Just like tomatoes, peppers grow best when the weather is warm, so make sure to move them outside when it stays at 60F. Peppers grown from seeds should not be moved until they have three sets of true leaves, which should take three to four weeks.
Strawberries
It’s possible to move strawberry seedlings right away if you buy them in the spring and the weather isn’t too hot. Too high of temperatures can kill your strawberries quickly. That’s why most places in the US move their strawberry plants when it gets a little cooler again, in late August.
Broccoli
Because broccoli grows best in cool weather, you can move it outside in early spring or late summer, the same time you move strawberries. Ohio State University says that the seedlings are ready to be moved when they are about 4 to 6 weeks old and have 3 to 4 true leaves.
Rosemary
Rosemary is notorious for having low germination rates, so starting from cuttings is usually recommended. Rosemary cuttings are usually ready to be transplanted outside after 8 weeks of propagation. If you’re determined to start from seeds, rosemary plants can be moved when they are 4 to 5 inches tall. They can usually handle a range of temperatures as long as they are above 30°F.
Oregano
If oregano seedlings have at least four true leaves after 4-6 weeks, they are ready to be moved. The soil outside should be around 70°F, so usually, oregano is transplanted after the last spring frost.
Mint
Mint is very easy to grow from both seeds and cuttings. In fact, it grows so quickly that it can take over your whole garden. We suggest transplanting your mint in a bigger pot but not directly to the ground. Transplant it when the temperature is around the 60°F mark.
How to Tell When It’s Time To Transplant Seedlings
FAQ
How big should herb seedlings be before transplanting?
How big should seedlings be before transplanting?
What happens if you transplant seedlings too early?
When can herbs be transplanted?
When to transplant seedlings?
Knowing when to transplant seedlings can mean the difference between healthy, vigorous plants and those that are stunted and root bound. Seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers are sown in cell packs, plug trays, or peat pellets with most outgrowing their containers after 4 to 5 weeks.
When should you transplant a plant?
When to transplant depends on the plant. Some plants, such as spinach, are cool-season crops, which means that they should be planted before outdoor temperatures get too warm. Others, like tomatoes and peppers, are warm-season crops and will be weakened by too-cool temperatures. The temperature of the soil is important, too!
When should I transplant seedlings after hardening off?
There is no cutoff date for transplanting seedlings after the hardening off period. If the seedlings look weak and spindly, it is not likely they will do better after transplanting. Leave them in pots for a few more days until they grow healthier and stronger. When they look ready, pick a relatively cool, cloudy day for transplanting.
How do you transplant a seedling?
Place the seedling in the hole you just dug and cover it back up with soil. Lightly press the soil around the seedling to ensure good contact between the plant’s roots and soil. Water the soil around the newly transplanted seedling to help settle the roots, eliminate air pockets, and reduce the potential of transplant shock. And voila!