Growing Together: Potting Up Seedlings
Tips to Grow a Healthy Garden
This week Caitlin Kenney shares her tips on potting-up seedlings.
Keep your plants in a shaded area prior to potting up, so they aren’t actively growing at the time they are transferred.
Water your plants thoroughly before you start. The roots should be moist when you separate them.
Choose high quality soil, such as Vermont Compost, to improve soil’s ability to hold and deliver essential nutrients.
Handle the plants gently, holding them by the roots. Avoid touching the leaves. Carefully separate the roots of each plant.
Plant deep enough so all roots are covered with soil. tomatoes and brassicas can be buried up to their first true leaves.
Push firmly but gently on the soil around the plant, avoiding the stems. The plants should be firmly in place, standing upright.
Keep the newly potted plants in the shade for 12 hours. After that, they can go into the sun.
Thanks to Caitlin Kenney, former Executive Director of NNS, for sharing her expertise in potting up! Stop by Nourishing the North Shore’s Annual Seedling Sale in May to pick up a variety of beautiful, healthy seedlings for your garden.