Transplanting Vegetable Seedlings 1.

Water the seedlings a day before

After the soil has been prepared, the next activity transplanting.
is to transplant seedlings. Seedlings are 2. Uproot the desired number of seedlings to
considered ready to be transplanted when they be planted.
are sturdy enough to withstand field conditions. 3. Dig a hole big enough to receive the root
While still in the seedbed or container in a system without bending it into the space.
confined area, they are carefully guarded against 4. Plant one seedling per hill.
environmental stresses. 5. Cover the roots properly and the shoot
The age or size of the seedling at the time of apex should be higher than the ground
transplanting is very important. Generally, the level of the bed or the soil should not cover
smaller the seedling, the easier it is to transplant the first leaves after planting
and the quicker its recovery. 6. Press the soil after planting to have better
When several seedlings are grown in seed boxes contacts of the roots with the soil.
where root zone is shallow, blocking is practiced 7. Irrigate the transplanted seedlings.
one week before transplanting as a preparation 8. If necessary, provide the seedlings a
for transplanting. A knife is passed along the row temporary shade for at least 3 4 days for
and between plants so that a seedling is confined faster recovery.
to a block. The process cuts all the roots along Planting Distance of Transplanted Seedlings
the path of the knife. Regeneration occurs mostly Proper spacing between rows and hills is
within the blocked area. Thereby, it is expected important to allow growth of plants, ease of
that root destruction at transplanting will be less. cultivation, and efficient use of space. Generally,
According to Bautista (1977), hardening can be the depth of planting depends on the kinds of
done in several ways and should be started 7-10 crop and size of the seedling. Recommended
days before transplanting. It is a continuous distance of planting, depth of planting, and rate of
process ending when the seedlings are set in the seeding of selected vegetable crops is shown in
field. One way of hardening is to expose plants the table below.
gradually to strong sunlight and to withhold water Table 9. Distance of planting, depth of planting,
to make the plant wilt temporarily but not allowing and rate of seeding of selected vegetable crops
it to lapse into a state of permanent wilting. according to Canare et. al (2012).
Characteristics of Good Quality Seedlings Distance of Dept Rate
1. Uniform in growth Crop Planting h of of
2. Healthy and sturdy Planti Seedi
3. Free from diseases ng ng
4. Free from off-types Ro Hill (cm) (per
Why transplant vegetable seedlings? w (cm) hill)
to allow sufficient space for stocky (cm
development of the plants )
to select good, healthy and sturdy Tomato 100 75 2-3 1
seedlings Eggplant 100 75 2-3 1
to eliminate diseased and weak seedlings Pepper 100 75 2-3 1
When to Transplant Seedlings? Pechay 15 15 2-3 1
The best time to transplant seedlings is just Cabbage 75 40 2-3 1
before or after a rain, provided the soil can be
Carrot 15 15 2-3 1
worked and during cloudy days. During sunny
Cauli flower 35 30 2-3 1
days, transplanting should be done late in the
afternoon to lessen transplanting shock and to Radish 20 15 2-3 1
hasten seedling recovery. Onion 15 15 2-3 1
Rules in Transplanting Mustard 15 15 2-3 1
Keep the newly uprooted seedlings Lettuce 20 20 2-3 1
from direct sunlight.
Keep the roots moist and the tops A well-prepared soil is not necessary in
dry while transferring the seedlings. transplanting. However, a well prepared soil
Keep as much soil on the roots as ensures optimum growth and development of
possible. crops. Transplanting allows a much better control
Settle the soil around the roots of the environment during the early stage of plant
when watering. growth, thus giving the plant a head start.
Handle seedlings carefully to avoid The best time to transplant is just before or
damage. after a rain, provided the soil is workable. During
Transplant late in the afternoon or the hot or dry season, transplanting should be
on a cloudy day and shade the done late in the afternoon. This will lessen
seedlings. transplanting shock of the seedling to facilitate its
Steps in Transplanting Vegetable Seedlings recovery.