Buying and Transplanting Nursery Plants
Nursery plants offer a convenient way to establish a garden without waiting weeks for seeds to germinate and develop. They can be especially useful for long-season crops or gardeners who are starting late. The key is to select healthy plants and give them a careful transition into their permanent location.
Selecting Healthy Plants
Look for plants with sturdy growth, healthy leaves, and no obvious signs of serious insect or disease problems. Avoid plants that are severely wilted, badly damaged, or so root-bound that roots form a dense mass around the container.
Check labels for mature size, light requirements, hardiness, and other important characteristics. A healthy plant is not necessarily the right plant if its mature needs do not match your site.
Prepare the Planting Site First
Have the bed prepared before removing the plant from its container. The planting hole should accommodate the root system without forcing roots into a tight space. Water the plant if the root ball is very dry before transplanting.
Good preparation reduces the amount of time roots spend exposed to air and heat. Planting during the cooler part of the day can also reduce immediate stress in hot weather.
Removing the Plant
Handle the plant by the container or root ball rather than pulling on the stem. Gently loosen roots that are tightly circling the outside of the root ball when appropriate, while avoiding unnecessary tearing of healthy roots.
Set the plant at the proper depth for that species. Do not assume that every plant should be buried deeper simply because it has become tall in the nursery container.
After Transplanting
Water thoroughly enough to settle soil around the roots. Continue monitoring moisture while the plant establishes, but avoid keeping the root zone constantly saturated. Temporary wilting can occur as a plant adjusts, especially during heat or wind.
Protect tender transplants from unusual weather when practical. Once new growth indicates establishment, return to the normal watering and maintenance routine for the crop.
Avoid Transplant Shock
Transplant shock is more likely when roots are disturbed heavily or when a plant moves suddenly from protected nursery conditions into intense sun, wind, or temperature extremes. Hardening plants when appropriate and choosing suitable planting conditions can reduce stress.
Do not respond to every wilted transplant with excessive fertilizer or water. First check whether the roots are adequately moist and whether the plant is being exposed to conditions it has not yet adapted to.
Practical Checklist
- Inspect nursery plants before buying them.
- Prepare the planting site first.
- Handle the root ball carefully.
- Water appropriately after transplanting.
- Acclimate tender plants to outdoor conditions when necessary.
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