Valcine: Transplanting Seedlings Into Garden Bed

As sometimes happens when sowing plants from seeds, not all of them sprout, some are weak and sprout but die off, and some you accidentally kill. But I'm not the give up type so, the ones that were strong and doing well I planted in their prepared spots and in replacement of the seedlings that hadn't faired so well, I sowed seeds directly into the garden bed. See blog article on Sowing Seeds Directly in the Garden Bed

It's important to treat seedlings very gently. If you break their stems, it will die and all your nursing will be in vain. I use a hand shovel to dig a hole just deep enough to fit the seedling base in and use my hand to pack the earth tightly around the seedling's rooting system. After planting all seedlings into their new home, I run the sprinkler system to give them a good watering. For the next week I keep a close eye on them and if they look thirsty on non-sprinkler days I use my watering can to give them a drink. I only do this if the leaves look limp as if they are about to wilt. I want to care for the new seedlings and not let them die but if they are doing well, I don't water them to allow them to adjust to their new environment and water schedule.

All plants do well and perform better when they have deep roots. This is encouraged by deep saturated watering instead of light daily sprinkling. You will not see a lot of new leaf growth while the plants are getting used to their new home. Instead of focusing on putting out new leaves, the plant is focusing on establishing a strong root system. You will know that this is and has taken place when the new plantings begin to produce new leaves and have obvious growth.

Here are pictures from the seedlings that were transplanted into the garden:

Corn and Peas