when should I start my seedling transplants?

15 years ago

Basically my goal is that they're big enough and strong enough so that they can be hardened off then directed transplanted where they're going to grow; however I'd also like them to be small enough, that I don't have to repot them to bigger containers while I'm still growing them as seedling transplants indoors.

I keep hearing on the news via the weather channel that an early spring is on the way (March as opposed to April) and that warmer spring weather will be earlier too. However is this really going to happen and last, or is it just a temporary 'warm spell'?

I realize that 'potting up' (to bigger containers before they're ready to be hardened off) strengthens root systems. However this is my first time growing seedling transplants. I'm already afraid I'll somehow by accident kill my seedlings in the process of transplanting them.

When I talked to somebody about this, they said it was a matter of timing. If I were to start from seed now indoors, would it be too early?

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Comments (4)

loribee2
15 years ago
What are you growing?
kawaiineko_gardener
Original Author
15 years ago
Where I'm growing is in the Northern part of Michigan in the upper part of the lower peninsula.

My gardening zone is 5; most ppl think it's 4 because of how far north I am located, but it's 5; I've checked and confirmed this via a zone finder for gardening (just by entering my zip code).

Our growing season doesn't start till beginning to middle of May, and that's if weather is cooperating.

Cool weather crops can be started earlier, in beginning of April.

The summers here are hot in the 'heat of the season' however compared to summers in southern climates they're mild.

Growing season is short from about April till October or November (possibly December if you're lucky).
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tn_veggie_gardner
15 years ago
kawaiineko: You're on the right track keeping up with the weather & knowing that the plants can be aggravated when they're potted up, but that it helps them. I transplant mine either once or twice, depending upon start date. I start the seeds in whatever container (3 inch square pots this year with Pro Mix Seedling Mix) & keep them in there until they get rootbound (if using pellets or something smaller, transplant them earlier). At that point, in the past, i'd move them from the cell/pellet/etc. into 16-20 oz plastic cups which hopefully last until they go in their final homes. Trick is to only transplant when they get rootbound cuz it's much harder then to distrub them. They may very well still "stall" growth for a week or so after a potting up, but don't worry about this, they are growing where you can't see (roots) at that time. They'll take back off. Anyway, all this usually takes up about 2 months until they just have to go into their final homes. Hence, 2 months from last frost date here, which is the middle of February (ish). Hope this helps. :)

- Steve
etxhippie
15 years ago
You shouldn't be afraid of hurting the seedlings. They're a lot tougher than you think. I plant between five and twenty five seeds in a space about as big around as a golf ball. As soon as they get the first set of true leaves I sort of roll the clump of soil with the seedlings between my fingers and separate all the seedlings and put them into 4 inch pots. I haven't hurt any yet with my stubby little fat fingers.