Is it time to transplant the vegetable plants that you started by planting seeds?

If so, there are some things you need to do before you transplant your vegetable plants. When you start your vegetables by planting seeds, you probably either started them indoors or in a greenhouse. Either way, when you are ready to move your vegetable plants to your garden you need to take a few steps first. Hopefully you started out by planting seeds 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost date.

The first thing to be aware of when you transplant your vegetable plants is the average date of last frost for your region. Your local garden shop or nursery can tell you this. If you’ve been growing vegetables for any length of time, you’ll probably have a good idea when this is anyway. When you are planting seeds to transplant later, knowing this date helps in your planning.

Your vegetable plants – that were started by planting seeds – need to acclimatize to the outdoors.

When you are ready to transplant your vegetable plants, don’t just take them outside and plant them. You need to get them used to the change in temperature and weather. When you’re planting seeds inside, they are used to the indoor “weather.” It’s best to allow a week or so for them to adjust.

To get your vegetable plants used to the change in temperature, take them outside for a few minutes the first day, an hour or so the next day, and a little longer each day through the week. When you’re planting seeds indoors, they are sheltered from extremes, so make sure they aren’t left in direct sunlight or heavy rain or wind when getting them adjusted. When you’re transplanting your vegetable plants, it’s best to do it later in the day, preferably on a cloudy day.

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