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5 Top Tips for Transplanting Seedlings

By Alice Johnson
06th June 2017

June is a great time to consider transplanting certain crops, such as sweetcorn, broccoli and cauliflower, as the likelihood of frost has reduced. Whether your seedlings are ready to be go outside or into pots, there are a few tips you can follow to ensure success.

Prepare the soil
Dig through rich organic matter or manure so there are plenty of nutrients that will benefit the plant’s growth. The ground should be moist and uncompacted – be careful not to walk on it. This step can be completed a week or two before transplanting occurs.

Plan the appropriate environment
When transplanting it is necessary to place your crops at the correct distance apart or in the appropriately sized pots, meaning they have room to grow. For example tomatoes can be planted outside at a distance of around 40-60cm or in 23cm pots. It is also important to consider what else your crop needs, for example runner beans will require a support.

Harden off your plants
If you place your crops straight from an indoor space into an outside one they are likely to suffer from transplant shock, which will affect their development. To reduce the risk of this occurring they can be hardened off. This is done by moving edibles which have been in an artificially warm environment into a cold frame or greenhouse. If you do not have either of the latter you can place them outside for increasing amounts of time each day. This should be done for two to three weeks.

Be gentle
Dig the appropriate holes or fill the selected pots partially with compost, before you take out your seedlings. When removing them, don’t pull on the leaves or damage the roots. There is also no need to separate the soil from the seedling, it is actually beneficial to keep the original soil around the plant.

Look after them
After transplanting be sure to water your crops and feed them with an appropriate fertiliser if needed. Keep an eye out for any symptoms of diseases, such as wilted leaves or discolouring, and for the presence of pests.