Transplanting

20. Transplanting means taking a seedling out of the nursery bed and planting it elsewhere.

Certain vegetables are generally transplanted; for example, tomatoes, cabbages.

The purpose of transplanting is to give each plant more space.

Then the plant can develop its roots and leaves better. The distance left between plants varies according to their size.

The best way to transplant seedlings is to:

- thoroughly water the nursery bed, so that you can lift the seedlings more easily

- be very careful not to break the roots of the seedlings when you lift them

- choose only those seedlings that have grown best

- prepare the seedling by trimming off part of the roots and leaves

- transplant the seedlings into holes made with the dibber, and bury the roots up to the crown

- pack the earth down well around the plant

- water the transplanted seedling thoroughly.

Make a little shelter to protect your transplanted seedlings against rain and sun.

The seedlings you have not transplanted should be kept in the nursery bed for replacing any transplanted seedlings which do not grow.

It is best to transplant late in the day, when not so hot.

Bad transplanting

Good transplating