Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Move Vegetable Seedlings From Indoors to Outdoors
How to Move Vegetable Seedlings From Indoors to Outdoors. As the cold winter weather begins to give way to warm spring temperatures, it is time to start thinking about how and when to move vegetable seedlings you started indoors to outdoors. Before moving your vegetable seedlings outside for the rest of the growing season, make sure the temperature...
As the cold winter weather begins to give way to warm spring temperatures, it is time to start thinking about how and when to move vegetable seedlings you started indoors to outdoors. Before moving your vegetable seedlings outside for the rest of the growing season, make sure the temperature is warm enough to sustain the plant and you have prepared the location you are going to plant the seedlings.
Things You'll Need
Spoon or trowel
Plant covering
Pick the seedlings to move from indoor to outdoors, choosing disease-free and strong plants to ensure a greater chance of surviving the move. Most vegetable seedlings are ready for transplanting at four to six weeks old, according to the Osceola County Extension Service.
Place seedlings, still in their indoor container, outside two weeks before you move them permanently outdoors, suggests the University of Minnesota Horticulture Extension Service. This is a gradual process called hardening off. Begin by putting the plants outside for a few hours in the afternoon shade, and out of direct sunlight. Gradually increase the time the seedlings are outside each day, exposing them to more sunlight each time. At the end of the two weeks, move the vegetable seedlings outside permanently to the garden, unless inclement weather is expected.
Lift vegetable seedlings and their root balls from the bottom of the container, using a spoon or trowel for support. Gently place seedlings into the outdoor garden or container. Avoid holding the plant by its stem during the move. If additional support is needed, hold onto a leaf. Move vegetable seedlings to the garden on a cloudy day or in late afternoon, after the sun has hit its peak. Plants may wilt when they first are exposed to full sun, but will usually recuperate after a day or two, according to University of Minnesota Horticulture Extension Service.
Protect newly-transplanted seedlings from wind and changing temperatures by covering the vegetable plants with row or plant covers. Lightly water new seedlings.
Tips & Warnings
Harden vegetables in a temporary mini-greenhouse or cold frame, suggests the University of Minnesota Horticulture Extension Service.
Vegetable plants that are not hardened off gradually may not survive the abrupt change in light conditions and temperatures.
