Spring is officially here which means we are already eagerly anticipating the start of gardening season. One of the first ways to prep for your summer gardens is by starting seedlings indoors.
Here’s how to get your seedlings in the ground and ready to grow in six simple steps, according to a gardening expert.
When to Plant Seedlings in the Ground
For warm-season crops, that seedlings should be transplanted after the last frost date in your area to avoid cold damage. While this can involve monitoring your local weather closely, individual regions normally have specific dates that are considered the last frost date.
Once you are ready to plant your seedlings in the ground, it’s best to choose a cloudy day or wait until the afternoon or evening to reduce stress on the plants from direct sunlight.
Before Planting
Before moving your seedlings outdoors, ensure they are well-established. Generally, experts recommend that seedlings are started indoors about six weeks before the last frost date in your area. However, this can vary greatly depending on the type of plant and species you are growing, so be sure to check your seed packets for specific instructions.
Harden Off Your Seedlings
It is the most important step for gardeners to complete before moving seedlings to the garden.
Start by placing the seedlings outdoors for a few hours a day in a shady area, and then gradually increase the exposure to sunlight and outdoor temperatures for about one to two weeks.
Fertilize Your Seedlings
Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength during watering. Avoid pouring the fertilizer directly on the plant’s leaves.
Prep the Garden Bed
Before moving your seedlings to their final outdoor location you’ll need to prepare the garden bed properly. This involves weeding the area and loosening the soil until it’s loose and friable.
If these weeds aren’t removed, it’s unlikely your seedlings will survive outdoors.
Transplanting Seedlings in the Ground
Plant Seedlings According to Packet Instructions
Once the last frost date in your area has passed and your seedlings are hardened off, it’s time to plant them outdoors.
Water the Freshly Planted Seedlings
Once you’re finished planting, the seedlings should be watered immediately to help settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets. Avoid dropping heavy amounts of water directly on your delicate seedlings by aiming for the soil and base of the stems instead of the leaves. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first few weeks after transplanting to encourage deep, strong root growth.
Mulch the Garden Bed
Lastly, recommends applying a thick layer of organic mulch around the seedlings. Straw or seedless hay, dry leaves, grass clippings, or natural wood mulch are great options for vegetable gardens and flower gardens.
Do Seedlings Need Support in the Garden After Planting?
Aside from keeping the soil evenly moist for the first few weeks after planting, most seedlings don’t need any extra support after planting, as long as they’ve been properly hardened off first.
That being said, certain seedlings like tomatoes and peppers can benefit from physical support after planting to prevent damage from wind or the weight of their fruit
Growth Timeline for Common Spring Seedlings
Common spring seedlings include tomatoes, peppers, annual flowers, and herbs such as basil, cilantro, mint, and dill. Spoonemore provided a breakdown of the average timeline from planting to harvest for each kind of seedling:
Tomatoes: Typically, it takes about 60 to 80 days from transplanting to harvest for most varieties.
Peppers: Peppers usually require about 60 to 90 days from transplanting to maturity, depending on the variety.
Flowers: The growth rate varies widely among species, but many annual flowers will begin blooming six to eight weeks after planting.
Herbs: Herbs like basil, cilantro, and dill can start being harvested once they have enough foliage to maintain growth, usually within four to six weeks after planting.
