Your seedlings should be prepared for transplantation in 5 to 10 weeks if all goes according to plan.
- Don’t just throw them outside, though. Start with a few short excursions lasting only a few hours at the hottest time of the day.
- After that, gradually increase the amount of time until they have acclimated, or hardened off, and can be planted outside.
- If possible, transplant the seedlings into your well-prepared garden soil on a day that is cloudy, early in the morning, or late in the day when the sun is not as intense.
- Carefully remove the fragile seedlings from their containers, being careful not to disrupt the root ball too much.
- One at a time, plant them in a hole that has already been excavated that is almost twice the size of the root ball.
- Firmly pack the earth around the roots.
- Water the transplant right away with a seaweed extract solution to “seat” it and avoid transplant shock.
- One to two weeks after planting, make sure your seedlings have consistent moisture.
