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Some information on planting young plants
Some information on planting young plants
Our students are demonstrating how to take seedlings correctly out of a 4 inch pot and plant into an outdoors container instead of in a garden bed.
Hardening Off Seedlings:
Hardening Off Seedlings:
Our plants at the OEC have been growing in a sheltered greenhouse environment. Before the seedling(s) can be transplanted to the outdoor garden, it needs to have a chance to become accustomed gradually to outdoor conditions of bright sunlight, cooler temperatures and wind. We call this process hardening off. We start this process approximately 7-10 days before planting them outside.
Our plants at the OEC have been growing in a sheltered greenhouse environment. Before the seedling(s) can be transplanted to the outdoor garden, it needs to have a chance to become accustomed gradually to outdoor conditions of bright sunlight, cooler temperatures and wind. We call this process hardening off. We start this process approximately 7-10 days before planting them outside.
How do we do this?
How do we do this?
Begin by setting your seedling(s) outside in a sheltered, partly shaded spot for a few hours, then bring them back indoors. Each day, gradually increase the amount of time the seedling(s) are outdoors and the light intensity they receive until they spend a full day in the sun and the night outside.
Begin by setting your seedling(s) outside in a sheltered, partly shaded spot for a few hours, then bring them back indoors. Each day, gradually increase the amount of time the seedling(s) are outdoors and the light intensity they receive until they spend a full day in the sun and the night outside.
We also want to make sure the seedling(s) do not dry out since outdoor conditions also increase evaporation & transpiration, the process of plants giving off moisture.
We also want to make sure the seedling(s) do not dry out since outdoor conditions also increase evaporation & transpiration, the process of plants giving off moisture.
After about 7- 10 days, your seedling plant(s) will be able to be planted outside and produce strong new growth.
After about 7- 10 days, your seedling plant(s) will be able to be planted outside and produce strong new growth.
Day Of Planting Outside:
Day Of Planting Outside:
1. If possible, choose a cool cloudy day for planting, either early morning or late afternoon.
1. If possible, choose a cool cloudy day for planting, either early morning or late afternoon.
2. Make sure plant(s) soil is well watered ( but not dripping wet) a few hours in advance prior to planting so it is hydrated.
2. Make sure plant(s) soil is well watered ( but not dripping wet) a few hours in advance prior to planting so it is hydrated.
3. Dig the planting hole or have the soil ready in the container if using one, prior to taking the plant out of its 4 inch pot to shorten the time the roots are exposed to the drying air.
3. Dig the planting hole or have the soil ready in the container if using one, prior to taking the plant out of its 4 inch pot to shorten the time the roots are exposed to the drying air.
4. The planting hole should be as deep as the plant's root ball to ensure growing at the same depth in its new outside location. You can add some compost to your planting hole.
4. The planting hole should be as deep as the plant's root ball to ensure growing at the same depth in its new outside location. You can add some compost to your planting hole.
5. To remove the plant from the 4 inch pot, turn the pot upside down into your hand while holding the plants stem between your fingers. The plant should slip out easily. If not, gently squeeze the pot slightly as you continue to hold it upside down to dislodge it. Next, turn the plant right side up and place it into the planting hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface.
5. To remove the plant from the 4 inch pot, turn the pot upside down into your hand while holding the plants stem between your fingers. The plant should slip out easily. If not, gently squeeze the pot slightly as you continue to hold it upside down to dislodge it. Next, turn the plant right side up and place it into the planting hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface.
6. Gently firm the soil around the root ball. If you are planting a tomato plant that needs staking for support,as our OEC grown tomatoes do, now would be a good time to put that in place.
6. Gently firm the soil around the root ball. If you are planting a tomato plant that needs staking for support,as our OEC grown tomatoes do, now would be a good time to put that in place.
7. Water after planting gently making sure the root ball receives some water.
7. Water after planting gently making sure the root ball receives some water.
" Happy Planting"
" Happy Planting"
Nancy Galdi
Nancy Galdi
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