Signup to receive email updates
Recent Posts
Links
Blog Archives
- April 2018 (4)
- March 2018 (3)
- February 2018 (6)
- January 2018 (1)
- December 2017 (7)
- November 2017 (4)
- October 2017 (3)
- September 2017 (4)
- August 2017 (8)
- July 2017 (4)
- June 2017 (6)
- May 2017 (8)
- April 2017 (5)
- March 2017 (10)
- February 2017 (2)
- January 2017 (9)
- December 2016 (2)
- November 2016 (8)
- October 2016 (8)
- September 2016 (8)
- August 2016 (6)
- July 2016 (9)
- June 2016 (6)
- May 2016 (1)
- April 2016 (7)
- March 2016 (8)
- February 2016 (3)
- January 2016 (4)
- December 2015 (4)
- November 2015 (7)
- October 2015 (8)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (5)
- June 2015 (7)
- May 2015 (8)
- April 2015 (6)
- March 2015 (5)
- February 2015 (4)
- January 2015 (8)
- December 2014 (5)
- November 2014 (6)
- October 2014 (7)
- September 2014 (4)
- August 2014 (7)
- July 2014 (13)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (9)
- April 2014 (6)
- March 2014 (4)
- February 2014 (8)
- January 2014 (5)
- December 2013 (8)
- November 2013 (8)
- October 2013 (9)
- September 2013 (2)
- August 2013 (6)
- June 2013 (4)
- May 2013 (5)
- March 2013 (9)
- February 2013 (6)
- January 2013 (3)
- December 2012 (9)
- November 2012 (7)
- October 2012 (10)
- September 2012 (4)
- August 2012 (9)
- July 2012 (5)
- June 2012 (1)
- May 2012 (6)
- April 2012 (7)
- March 2012 (5)
- February 2012 (1)
436 Total Posts
follow our RSS feed

Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Transplant!
Soil temperature has been warming to around 60 degrees lately. It's time to prepare for putting plants in the ground. This season, consider increasing the number of crops you transplant. There are a number of potential advantages to transplanting compared to direct seeding. These include:
-reduced early pest pressure
-healthier crop stands, sooner
-planting flexibility
Transplanting allows you to seed in a location that is either heated or at least sheltered from wind/rain/cold. These warmer temps give better seed germination and allow you to sow transplants earlier. After germination, you can select the healthiest seedlings for transplanting. Doing this will allow you to get a 1-2 week jump on production for the season.
When transplants reach the field they are already better able to compete. They are healthy, larger than any emerging weeds, can survive more pest damage, and should have ample water. As long as your starts are watered before transplanting, or during if you have a waterwheel on the transplanter, they can be planted under dry conditions. This means they can be planted more reliably without 'waiting for rain' to soak in direct seeded crops.
In order to sow transplants, you will need seeding trays. There are a variety of sizes. I would recommend 128s for most crops and 200s for small seeded crops (onions, celery, baby lettuce). Simple drop seeders can be constructed to reduce your labor here. Small 'clicker' type sowing implements can also be used. Many seed catalogs have these items for sale. The quality of the sowing mix is also important. The major component should have good water holding capacity (coir, peat). In addition, organic matter (compost, worm castings) and fertility (bone meal, kelp, etc.) will contribute to healthy transplants.
Don't forget that transplants need to be hardened off (see Spring Planting Considerations post).
If you do not have transplanting equipment pulled by a tractor, you'll need to come with an alternative idea. Pulling a string across the length of beds and marking off holes is one option. Consider making a 'dibbler' or hole punch. This is an instrument with rotating wheels that will leave a hole in the soil every 12" (wheel size can be adjusted) and saves time. If transplanting by hand, be sure to tamp down soil around the seedling for optimum root/soil contact.
For earlier harvests, better yield, and higher quality try these transplanting suggestions.
*Some crops are impractical to transplant including carrots, spinach, and cilantro. A hand powered seeder such as Planet Jr. can be a great advantage here.
-reduced early pest pressure
-healthier crop stands, sooner
-planting flexibility
Transplanting allows you to seed in a location that is either heated or at least sheltered from wind/rain/cold. These warmer temps give better seed germination and allow you to sow transplants earlier. After germination, you can select the healthiest seedlings for transplanting. Doing this will allow you to get a 1-2 week jump on production for the season.
When transplants reach the field they are already better able to compete. They are healthy, larger than any emerging weeds, can survive more pest damage, and should have ample water. As long as your starts are watered before transplanting, or during if you have a waterwheel on the transplanter, they can be planted under dry conditions. This means they can be planted more reliably without 'waiting for rain' to soak in direct seeded crops.
In order to sow transplants, you will need seeding trays. There are a variety of sizes. I would recommend 128s for most crops and 200s for small seeded crops (onions, celery, baby lettuce). Simple drop seeders can be constructed to reduce your labor here. Small 'clicker' type sowing implements can also be used. Many seed catalogs have these items for sale. The quality of the sowing mix is also important. The major component should have good water holding capacity (coir, peat). In addition, organic matter (compost, worm castings) and fertility (bone meal, kelp, etc.) will contribute to healthy transplants.
Don't forget that transplants need to be hardened off (see Spring Planting Considerations post).
If you do not have transplanting equipment pulled by a tractor, you'll need to come with an alternative idea. Pulling a string across the length of beds and marking off holes is one option. Consider making a 'dibbler' or hole punch. This is an instrument with rotating wheels that will leave a hole in the soil every 12" (wheel size can be adjusted) and saves time. If transplanting by hand, be sure to tamp down soil around the seedling for optimum root/soil contact.
For earlier harvests, better yield, and higher quality try these transplanting suggestions.
*Some crops are impractical to transplant including carrots, spinach, and cilantro. A hand powered seeder such as Planet Jr. can be a great advantage here.