When it’s time to start transitioning those starts that you’ve lovingly nurtured and protected to the great outdoors, it’s time for this class! Participants will learn why some plants grow better from starts instead of seeds, and receive guidance on timing; hands-on practice with transplanting techniques will be emphasized. Participants will leave with at least one start to transplant into their own garden space.

1. Transplanting
Independence Gardens
Portland, OR
January 2012
© Independence Gardens LLC
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that goes along with
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

2. What We’ll Cover TodayIntro
we are Independence Gardens
• We build raised beds, chicken coops,
& other garden infrastructure
• Develop permaculture site designs
• Help with garden planning, prep, and
installation
• Teach edible gardening classes
• & make Doo Tees!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

3. Topics We’ll Cover
• Basic plant needs
• How transplanting works
• Reasons for transplanting
• Basic best practices
• Stress prevention/reduction
• Up-potting
• Planting out
• Hardening off
• Post-transplant care
What We’ll Cover TodayPreview
Got Questions?
Please ask as we go along.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

4. Basic plant needs
• Relevant plant parts
– Roots are sensitive and can be harmed by poor transplanting technique
• Food:
– N
– P
– K
• Water:
– Transplant shock
• Shelter:
– Transitions are hard
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

5. How does transplanting work?
• Plants develop to a certain point in
one location…and then you move
them!
• This can be one of the most
stressful experiences of a young
plant’s life
– Transplant shock
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

6. Why transplant?
• Reasons
– Putting in plants that are new to your garden
– Moving plants to more favorable locations
– Getting plants out of too-small containers into bigger ones
– Relocating plants that are grown indoors to the OUTDOORS!
• Timing
– In the edible garden, lots around April 15 (our last frost date)
• Conditions
– Early morning, at night, or on a cloudy day—or in an area where
you’ve created shade/shelter for your new transplants
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

7. Best practices
• Create a favorable soil environment
• Transplant when it’s damp/cool
• Avoid root disturbance
– Don’t let roots dry out
– Be gentle with the roots when untangling root-bound mats
• Transplant to the right depth
• Make sure that only one plant from the original container gets
transplanted to the new pot/garden space
– If there are more, snip all but the healthiest one off at the soil line
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

8. • Stress is bad
• Avoid causing it
• Do your best to remedy it if
it’s already happened
Goal #1: Stress prevention!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

9. • Stress is bad
• Avoid causing it
• Do your best to remedy it if
it’s already happened
Goal #2: Stress reduction!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

10. • If a plant has outgrown its
container but isn’t mature
enough to go outside
• Or the conditions aren’t yet
right
Up-potting
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

11. Step-by-step: Up-potting
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

12. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

13. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
2. Fill your new container with firmed-down soil so that when the plant with
its old rootball is set on top, the base of the stem will be at the level of or just
below the top
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

14. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
2. Fill your new container with firmed-down soil so that when the plant with
its old rootball is set on top, the base of the stem will be at the level of or just
below the top
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers, inverting the
container
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

15. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
2. Fill your new container with firmed-down soil so that when the plant with
its old rootball is set on top, the base of the stem will be at the level of or just
below the top
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers, inverting the
container
4. Set plant on top of filled-in soil; fill the voids in the pot with moistened
soil, then press down firmly so soil is evenly compressed
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

16. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
2. Fill your new container with firmed-down soil so that when the plant with
its old rootball is set on top, the base of the stem will be at the level of or just
below the top
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers, inverting the
container
4. Set plant on top of filled-in soil; fill the voids in the pot with moistened
soil, then press down firmly so soil is evenly compressed
5. Water well...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

17. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
2. Fill your new container with firmed-down soil so that when the plant with
its old rootball is set on top, the base of the stem will be at the level of or just
below the top
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers, inverting the
container
4. Set plant on top of filled-in soil; fill the voids in the pot with moistened
soil, then press down firmly so soil is evenly compressed
5. Water well...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

18. Step-by-step: Up-potting
1. Moisten potting soil to be wet, not soaking—the consistency of a wrung-
out sponge
2. Fill your new container with firmed-down soil so that when the plant with
its old rootball is set on top, the base of the stem will be at the level of or just
below the top
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers, inverting the
container
4. Set plant on top of filled-in soil; fill the voids in the pot with moistened
soil, then press down firmly so soil is evenly compressed
5. Water well...
Reminder: Know the ingredients of your potting soil; if it contains fertilizer,
don’t add more.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

19. • When a plant is ready to be
outdoors
• And the conditions are right
– Weather can be a challenge, so
protect your new plantings
Planting out
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

20. Step-by-step: Planting out
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

21. Step-by-step: Planting out
1. Prepare the soil: if the area has not been cultivated before, double dig
(this loosens and aerates the soil, creates consistent soil texture, improves
drainage, and stimulates microorganism activity); if it is an established bed,
go to the second step!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

22. Step-by-step: Planting out
1. Prepare the soil: if the area has not been cultivated before, double dig
(this loosens and aerates the soil, creates consistent soil texture, improves
drainage, and stimulates microorganism activity); if it is an established bed,
go to the second step!
2. Dig a hole in the ground about 2x the diameter and same depth of the
plant’s rootball
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

23. Step-by-step: Planting out
1. Prepare the soil: if the area has not been cultivated before, double dig
(this loosens and aerates the soil, creates consistent soil texture, improves
drainage, and stimulates microorganism activity); if it is an established bed,
go to the second step!
2. Dig a hole in the ground about 2x the diameter and same depth of the
plant’s rootball
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers (assuming it’s small
enough), inverting the container so the plant is below your hand and the
rootball in your palm
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

24. Step-by-step: Planting out
1. Prepare the soil: if the area has not been cultivated before, double dig
(this loosens and aerates the soil, creates consistent soil texture, improves
drainage, and stimulates microorganism activity); if it is an established bed,
go to the second step!
2. Dig a hole in the ground about 2x the diameter and same depth of the
plant’s rootball
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers (assuming it’s small
enough), inverting the container so the plant is below your hand and the
rootball in your palm
4. Place plant in the hole and fill in sides with loose soil; press down firmly
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

25. Step-by-step: Planting out
1. Prepare the soil: if the area has not been cultivated before, double dig
(this loosens and aerates the soil, creates consistent soil texture, improves
drainage, and stimulates microorganism activity); if it is an established bed,
go to the second step!
2. Dig a hole in the ground about 2x the diameter and same depth of the
plant’s rootball
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers (assuming it’s small
enough), inverting the container so the plant is below your hand and the
rootball in your palm
4. Place plant in the hole and fill in sides with loose soil; press down firmly
5. Top-dress with compost in a halo/donut at the dripline of the plant
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

26. Step-by-step: Planting out
1. Prepare the soil: if the area has not been cultivated before, double dig
(this loosens and aerates the soil, creates consistent soil texture, improves
drainage, and stimulates microorganism activity); if it is an established bed,
go to the second step!
2. Dig a hole in the ground about 2x the diameter and same depth of the
plant’s rootball
3. Remove plant gently from current container by squeezing sides and, while
holding its stem between your index and middle fingers (assuming it’s small
enough), inverting the container so the plant is below your hand and the
rootball in your palm
4. Place plant in the hole and fill in sides with loose soil; press down firmly
5. Top-dress with compost in a halo/donut at the dripline of the plant
6. Water in!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

27. Hardening off
• Give plants time to
acclimate to new
conditions
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

28. 1. You can harden off before and/or after transplanting; we recommend both
2. Take plant in its old container outside (or uncover) during favorable
conditions (during the day, overcast & mild - not too sunny/rainy/
windy)
3. Bring plant inside (or cover with row cover or shade cloth) during less
favorable conditions (at night, when it’s too bright/cold/hot)
4. Repeat until the plant is acclimated (usually 2 days-1 week), then put
it in the ground
5. Keep up a sheltering routine for a similar length of time after
transplant
Reminder: Exact strategy depends on timing, weather conditions and plant
type & health.
Step-by-step: Hardening off
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

29. • Provide extra shelter and
protection from other damage
– Some trees should be staked
• Fertigate (water + fertilize)
– Add P
– Wait a little while to add N
• Continue to water consistently
Post-transplant care
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

30. Next steps for you
• Practice!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

31. Questions?
Tuesday, January 31, 2012