Transplanting Tips

Block out seedlings in flats about a week before transplanting by cutting through the soil with a sharp knife in a grid pattern across the flat, leaving a cube of soil around each plant. This breaks the roots that would be damaged during transplanting, thus stimulating the healing process while the plants are still living in protected surroundings.

Be gentle with plant roots. "When transplanting, preserve as much root surface area as possible," Wells suggests. "Ideally, start or purchase seedlings in individual pots or containers that can be set directly into the garden without disturbing their roots. Thin seedlings growing in flats by scissoring or pinching them off at soil level, so as not to disturb the roots of neighboring seedlings."