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At what point do you plant out?

threeorangeboys

16 years ago

Last year, my biggest challenge with winter sowing was the getting the seedlings to become big healthy plants. I wish I could transplant them into larger containers before having to put them right into the ground, but I just have NO space (I'm in a row house in DC), so the seedlings have to go right into the ground in HOS. Do you all transplant to bigger containers, THEN into the ground, or do you put them right into the ground? Between my cats digging stuff up constantly and my husband walking on things by mistake, it is just tough to get them big and healthy! ARGH.

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Comments (12)

kqcrna
16 years ago
Mine go right from milk jugs to the ground.

Karen
bakemom_gw
16 years ago
Jug to ground.
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Karen, I'll share our unusually warm and sunny days with you if you share your rain. We'll go half and half and that should do it for both of us. :O) Paula, After wsing for a few years I still feel the same way you do. I've never gotten over putting those seedlings out when they are so tiny. Also, by the time they could be planted out in such a small state, the slugs are out in full force and well, you know what happens... The other issue is spotting where I've planted them. They get lost in the chaos of the gardens. One thing I am doing this year is placing collars made from yogurt and icecream containers and pop bottles too. If the collars are placed deep enough, the cutworms won't get the seedlings, and if it's high enough, it discourages the slugs. After they start growing, I'll be removing them gently so as not to disturb the plants.
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THEGARDENPOOTER
16 years ago
Jugs to ground, a threat to a husband and a spray water bottle for kitty poo!

The Garden Pooter!
threeorangeboys
Original Author
16 years ago
I know! I should spray them the little gremlins.

How big do you let them get in the jug? First set of true leaves? Second set?
mo_girl
16 years ago
I sometimes transplant a few seedlings to bigger pots when it's a variety I really want and don't have many of. Also, if I don't have a spot ready yet, but want the seedlings to grow more quickly, I'll transplant a few.

I planted out my poppies with just their first set of leaves, and they are small, but doing well. I also planted out alyssum and aster crego with few leaves. I will wait for the others to get bigger.
busylizzy
16 years ago
Most times the plants have to wait for me, then it is hos to ground.
i wouldn't do this with poppies or larkspar because they resent transplanting
Last year I was so busy my marigolds didn't get in till June,just had to keep watering them.
threeorangeboys
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks. I wish I could leave them in the pots longer, but the space factor is just a real problem. I just don't have a lot of plants that make it fully to adulthood. I wsed a TON of white rose campion last year, and I think I have four adult plants. I'm not quite sure what the problem is, and I thought it was perhaps because I was planting out too early. Maybe I should feed the seedlings? It's frustrating, because I have such great success with the seeds sprouting, but not a lot of success bringing them into adulthood!
kqcrna
16 years ago
Start feeding them a weak solution of fertilizer after they get true leaves.

Poppies transplant just fine from jug straight to the garden. Do it when very small, one or two true leaves, before much of a taproot is formed.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: poppy bed
ptp813
16 years ago
If husband and animals are a problem, couldn't you put some kind of wire cage or ring around or over top of the seedlings. I have two dogs and squirrels that like to dig my stuff up and I cut up some large tomato square holed cages into smaller pieces and placed them over the area with rocks on top. I also found some grill pieces on the side of the road that worked too. It may not look as pretty at first, but it should make it clear to hubby that something is there and help keep the animals out. It worked for me.

:-) Pam
limequilla
16 years ago
A lot depends on if they are going into a relatively established garden or a bare space of ground. If it's bare ground, they will only be competing seedling to seedling, and you can plant them there when they are big enough to handle.

BUT if it's an existing bed you want to put some things into, they have to be bigger plants fro the outset, maybe a lot bigger, so they can hold their own against the bigger plants.
bakemom_gw
16 years ago
First true set of leaves.
threeorangeboys
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, Pam, you are totally right. I have wiring over them this year, so I really hope that helps. I've got so much wiring and fencing in my garden to keep the kitties out, I think I have more wiring than plants! Sometimes the kitties just bash right through the wiring so I think I need to anchor it down with something. I also think I need to keep it there longer than I have in the past until the plants are really big enough to survive future attacks! :)

I do think I'll start feeding them and see if that helps.

thanks everyone

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