Module 10: Transplanting The Seedlings To Containers

You may have started seeds indoors that have now grown into seedlings. Or you may have bought seedlings from a nursery.

Once the seedlings are about 4 inches, it’s time to transplant them to the container that you have prepared with the potting soil.

Harden The Seedling

Hardening is the process where you gradually acclimatize the seedling to the outdoors. It helps prevent transplant shock that can damage or even kill the seedling.

The simplest way to harden the seedling is to keep it outdoors every day for a couple of hours. Do this for a week and the seedling will be ready to transplant outdoors.

When you keep the seedling outdoors for hardening, keep it away from harsh sunlight and wind.

Prepare The Container

Once the seedling has been hardened, it’s time for the transplant. I would suggest keeping the container in the right location before you do this.

Use the trowel to dig into the potting soil and create enough space to plant the seedling roots.

Plant The Seedling

Carefully, hold the base of the plant with one hand. Invert the tray and gently tap on it until the root ball comes out.

Place the root ball into the hole that you dug into the potting soil in the container. Cover the root ball with sufficient potting soil.

Firm the potting soil around the base of the plant so it stands correctly in the container.

Water The Potting Soil

Once the seedling has been planted, give the potting soil a good watering. Let the water drain out from the drainage holes.

If you find that the potting soil has settled and the soil level has dropped in the container, you can add more potting soil.

Action Steps

• Harden the seedling before the transplant.
• Dig a hole into the potting soil.
• Plant the seedling into the potting soil.
• Water the potting soil.