Late winter and early spring is the time for starting seeds indoors, in a greenhouse or cold frame. Now that those tiny seeds have become sturdy little seedlings how can you prepare your little sprouts to handle the big, bad outdoor world in the garden bed?

Here are five sure-fire steps to take when the time is right for transplanting:

1. Harden Off Your Seedlings — Seedlings that were started indoors or under cover need to become acclimated to the outside elements. This is done by exposing them to their outdoor environment slowly by lengthening the hours until they’re toughened up a bit.

2. Perfect Weather — Perfect transplanting weather may not look like that you think it should; drizzly or overcast weather is the ideal situation. If you don’t see any in the forecast, plant them in the early morning when there’s the least amount of sun for them to contend with.

2. Get ‘Em Ready — A few days before the big event I like to give my youngsters a boost of energy with some organic liquid fertilizer to help with any shock as I disrupt their tiny roots during transplanting. Give them a drink of water several hours before planting them into their permanent home.

3. Timing — I like to get my seedlings into the ground after they have a couple of sets of “true” leaves. I like them full and healthy looking but not to the point of getting lanky as they outgrow their starter containers. Plus larger seedlings have a harder time recovering from the root disturbance.

4. Dig Holes First — Your plants will thank you if you have their new home set up and ready to go before you pull them out of their containers. This allows for minimal transplant shock because the roots aren’t over exposed to elements like the sun or wind.

5. Handle carefully — When you’re removing tiny plants from their containers do it gently, taking care not to bang or smash the roots. Try to keep as much of the original soil around the roots as you possibly can. A tool such as a small trowel used carefully is fine, but I always prefer my hands because it makes me aware of how much pressure I’m using, etc. Also, I don’t know any transplant that doesn’t appreciate a little extra compost tossed into the planting hole.

How Deep Should Vegetable Seedlings Be Planted?

Crops such as beets, lettuce, artichokes, and strawberries like their roots to sit right below the soil’s surface — just up to the crown (the place where they begin to grow ). Watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini, and cucumbers should be planted deep enough so that the soil comes up to the base of their first leaves. While vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant like to be planted quite deep; the stem and the entire first set of leaves should be buried under the soil.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Ashman Garden Cultivator (1Pack)

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Solid Build—The Ashman Garden Cultivator/Tiller is strong in construction so that it can withstand heavy work in the garden. The blade and the shaft are coupled well for deep digging and uprooting the soil from the depths. It serves the purpose of cultivation very well. Create a blooming crop and watch it blossom and reap the benefits. Sharpened Fine piercing Blade—The blades are razor sharp and are made to pierce into any kind of soil and to serve digging, loosening soil, and weeding. The blades are rust-proof and have chip-resistant coating enhancing durability. Use it to control weeds, bury crop residue in the soil, and for preparing a proper seed bed. High-Quality Design—The thoughtful design incorporated to shape the blades in L shape helps dig deep into the soil and rip it from beneath for cultivation. This helps a lot when weeding. Dig well and plant well. The handle is made to fit in the hand well and can be held tightly to apply push and pull forces effectively. Practical Utility—The garden cultivator is made with “practical utility” as the core of its purpose. It serves all the necessary purposes when gardening. Helps mix soil, which will loosen it up, providing more nutrients for the crops.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon