
High temperatures within the hot caps can kill young plants. If you use paper hot caps, punch ventilation holes in the tops. Remove the caps after the air temperatures rise during the day. If you use hot caps, you may set out transplanted crops in the garden a week or two before it would otherwise be safe to do so. Apply one-half-cup per plant at planting time. Firm the soil around the roots and water with the starter fertilizer solution.With a hand shovel, make a hole large enough to receive easily the root ball of the transplant.Scrape the dry surface soil from the planting area.Most people like to turn their compost regularly ie. The wider the mix of materials the better don’t let one or two ingredients dominate. You can make a compost heap in a pile, in bays or boxes or in a bin, whichever works for your garden.

If you transplant seedlings in peat pots, make sure the top edge of the peat pot is not above the soil surface or the peat pot will act like a wick and rapidly draw the moisture from the root ball, stressing the plant. The ratio of green:brown ingredients should be 50:50.You can transplant seedlings grown in separate containers without disturbing the roots.The hardy vegetables planted early in the season should be planted together, so they may be followed with late-season plantings of the same or other vegetables. Cut the soil between the plants with a knife so each plant can separate easily with a substantial root ball attached. Perennial vegetables (asparagus, rhubarb, winter onions, etc.) should be planted at one side or end of the garden for efficient operation.Water plants well before transplanting.Transplant in late afternoon or on a cool, cloudy, calm day.Cover the transplant tray or peat pots with clear plastic and keep in a warm room until germination. Read more about Lighting for starting seeds.Gently water the transplant trays using a fine screened watering tool to prevent washing the seeds out of the soil.Cover the seeds lightly with sand, screened soil or vermiculite. This table lists the recommended times to sow vegetable seeds for.Make a one-fourth to one-half-inch hole using a dibble tool or pencil with a tape mark to keep the depth consistent. Sow two to three seeds in each tray cell or peat pot.After filling in the depressions, level the soil to about one-fourth-inch below the top. Our Planting Calendar will give you the lowdown on what crops may be planted together and which pairings you should avoid.Fill the transplant tray or peat pots with the soil mixture and carefully firm the soil along the sides.

