For any seeds that you start inside, eventually you’ll need to transplant them out into the garden (unless you’re doing indoor container gardening of course). Once the right time has come to get your seedlings outside, usually after your spring frost date, know the right way to safely get your plants moved to their outdoor locations.
Hardening Off: Seedlings that have lived a coddled life inside your house can get a bit of a shock when suddenly outside. Lighting and temperatures changes are significant, and a tender indoor seedling hasn’t toughened up to withstand the normal breezes you get outside.
Let them ease into the change by exposing them to the outside gradually, a technique called “hardening off.” If you have a large number of seedlings, it can be a difficult task, so don’t feel it is crucially necessary. Otherwise, place your seedling trays outside on warm days for a week or two before actually planting out.
The Move: First start off by digging some holes, large enough to hold each seedling and the soil that will be coming along with them. Add a little compost to the hole so your new plants get a nutrient boost right from the start.
Ease the seedling out of its pot, ideally holding the dirt in place around the roots. Firmly set into its hole, and add loose soil to support it. After your plants are in place, give them a gentle watering and keep the soil moist until they are well-established and thriving.
Skip the Whole Thing: Some plants really shouldn’t be transplanted at all. Their seed packets will usually specify that they should only be planted directly out into the garden. Usually it’s because their roots are fragile and just don’t tolerate being moved. Heed the warning and just plant them in the garden when the time is right, or you run the serious risk of killing your little plants when you move them.