Moving Transplants into the Garden

Unless a few simple precautions are taken, however, the beautiful plants may not fulfill this promise. First, don't be too anxious to get plants into the garden. Some plants such as cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, pansies and snapdragons are frost tolerant and may be planted early. Others, such as tomatoes, peppers and marigolds, do not tolerate any frost and do not grow well in cool weather.

Know your local frost free date and plan accordingly. Plant protected locations near buildings first, and leave any low-lying areas that are subject to late frosts for last planting. Condition, or "harden" plants before they are placed into the garden. "Hardening" is simply a period of gradual adjustment to outdoor conditions. Without it, plants that have been grown indoors may be sunburned or windburned. When they are damaged or perhaps killed, they loose the benefit of earlier production.

To harden plants, place them outdoors in a sheltered location where they can get good light, but are protected from long periods of direct sunlight or strong winds. After a few days in this spot, gradually move them into more and more exposed locations until they are in conditions similar to those in the garden. Normally, plants require one to two weeks for proper hardening. If there is not time or space for this method of hardening, into the garden and hardened there. Shade the plants with paper tents, boards or any other protective devices. These may be gradually removed until the plants are fully exposed.

Most plants should be planted into the garden at the same depth they grow in the pot or flat. Only a few plants, such as tomatoes, are able to develop new roots along their stems and tolerate deeper planting. Overgrown tomato plants are often set in a slanting hole or trench to cover up an excessively long stem. Young, tender stems of other plants placed below the soil surface are more likely to be invaded by any soil borne diseases that may be present. While not essential, starter fertilizers help get transplants off to a good beginning. Starter fertilizers should be fairly mild, since young, unestablished roots are easily burned by strong solutions.

Fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, benefit from high phosphorus fertilizers such as 10-52-7, 15-52-9, or 10-50-10. Leafy vegetables may benefit from the same types or those containing higher levels of nitrogen as in 23-19-17 or 20-20- 20. Use all totally soluble fertilizers carefully according to manufacturer's directions. If no special reference is made about concentrations for transplants, mix these at about half the rate recommended for use on other plants.

To make a starter fertilizer from a common garden fertilizer that may be on hand, such as 12-12-12 or 5-10-10, use about two tablespoons per gallon of water and mix well. Apply only about one cup of this solution to each plant. Garden fertilizers are not totally soluble, and many leave sediment in the container. This sediment may still have some nutrient value. Do not dump it directly on plant roots, but use this on the surface of the soil.

Mac Perry's Florida Lawn and Garden Care, by Mac Perry.