Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Here is a checklist for setting out your transplants:
Make sure the cells are moist before they are planted.
Gently massage the seedling out of the cell, trying not to disturb the
roots too much. Try not to tear the cell so you can reuse it next season.
Make a hole the depth of the cell and place the transplant into it. Cover
it with soil and firmly press the soil around the base of the plant.
Water the transplant after planting. Remember the roots are tiny and
close to the surface; water regularly so the soil does not dry out.
Protect the plant from too much heat or cold so it can get a good start.
Choosing the right seed and making sure the seedling gets the
best start will go a long way. A little care and attention in the begin-
ning of a plant's life will give you a much healthier vegetable plant
and a more abundant harvest.
Saving Seeds
When planning your garden layout, think about planting some veget-
ables for saving the seeds in the fall. This means you allow the plant
to fully mature and then harvest the seed, saving it for planting next
season. Some vegetable plants, such as peas and beans, produce
pods with the seed inside. Others, such as tomatoes and cucumbers,
produce fruit that contains the seeds. Still others, such as lettuce
and onions, produce seed after they flower. And with vegetables
such as potatoes and garlic, the root becomes the seed.
Beware of Hybrids
Seeds that will not cross-pollinate with each other are easy to
save. However, if you have two different varieties of the same veget-
able plant growing in the same area, you risk cross-pollination. A
home gardener does not want to raise hybrid varieties for seed
