How to successfully transplant vegetables

Source: Rick Durham, extension home horticulture specialist

With springtime finally here, we turn our attention to the vegetable garden. Getting your transplants up and growing will give you some delicious homegrown produce in the months to come.

Transplanting gives a plant more space to develop, but it will temporarily stop growth, not stimulate it. Therefore, for successful transplanting, try to interrupt plant growth as little as possible.

Whether you grow your own transplants or purchase them, these eight steps can ensure successful transplanting into the garden.

1. Transplant on a shady day in late afternoon or in early evening to prevent wilting.

2. Ensure transplants are well watered and their roots are thoroughly damp an hour or two before setting them in the garden.

3. Handle the plants carefully. Avoid disturbing the roots. Try removing plants from their containers by knocking them out in an inverted position rather than tugging on the plants. Plants growing in peat pots may be planted with the pot intact.

4. Dig a hole large enough to hold the roots. Set the plants to the lowest leaf at recommended spacing. Press soil firmly around the roots.

5. Pour one cup of a solution of soluble plant food and water mixed according to the label’s directions.

6. Put more soil around each plant, but leave a slight depression for water to collect. Break off any exposed parts of peat pots so that they will not act as wicks and pull water out of the soil.

7. Shade the plants for a few days after transplanting on a very hot day by putting newspapers or cardboard on their south sides or cover them with a woven cotton fabric such as cheese cloth.

8. Water the plants every 2-3 days during the next week.

For more gardening tips, contact the Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-387-5404 or visit the Garden, Lawns and Landscapes section at www.extension.org.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Upcoming meeting of interest to the

Clinton County agriculture industry/family

Wildlife-woodland management series

The second session of the Clinton and Cumberland County Extension wildlife and woodland management series is set for Tuesday, April 11th at 6:00 p.m. at the Cumberland County Extension Office. The second meeting will be focused on logging and woodland related topics,.Jeff Stringer will be the speaker for the evening. For more information please contact the Clinton County Extension Office at 606-387-5404. These meetings will satisfy CAIP cost-share educational requirements.

Private pesticide applicator meeting

The Clinton County Extension Service will host a private pesticide applicator meeting Monday, April 10th at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. The meetings will cover information necessary to obtain a private pesticide applicator’s license. The private pesticide cards are valid for three years and are required to purchase restricted use pesticides. Please call the Extension Office at 606-387-5404 for more information. These meetings will satisfy CAIP cost-share educational requirements.

Beginning beekeeper series

The Beginning Beekeeper series hosted by the Clinton and Cumberland Extension offices and the Twin Lakes Beekeepers Association will conclude with a session on honey quality and marketing on Thursday, April 13th at 6:00 p.m. at the Clinton County Extension office, with KSU small farm agent Laura Rogers speaking. This session will satisfy the CAIP cost-share educational requirement. Please call the Extension Office at 606-387-5404 for more information.

Beef Quality Assurance meetings

Two Beef Quality Assurance meetings will be held on Monday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Extension Office. Producers approved for cost-share under the large animal investment area are required to have a valid BQA number.

The BQA meeting will last approximately one hour, BQA certification cost is $5 and valid for three years. More BQA meetings will be planned for this spring, so there will be other opportunities to get BQA certified. For more information or to enroll in BQA training please call the Extension Office at 606-387-5404, space is limited.