Fro tomatoes yes, you generally will pot up once, or sometimes two times (depending on how fast your plant grows) prior to planting it in the garden.

This is why you only start them 6-8 weeks, and not even further before your last frost date :)

That being said, certain plants (including tomatoes) benefit greatly from potting up, as if you bury them deeply, they will actually grow more roots out of the stem than they would have otherwise.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your garden :)

I would say yes to potting up most things. For example, I started some lettuce seedlings in a 72 cell tray in mid january just to see if my lights were strong enough to grow them from seed.

I harvested the lettuce last week because it was growing all over the place and about 7" tall! When I pulled out the plugs from the cells, the roots were horribly root bound and wrapped around many times.

I didn't think it would be that bad because they were still fairly small...not micro greens, but not a full head leaf lettuce like you get at the store.

Based on that observation, I think I will be potting up most everything at least once. I read about using clear deli containers, and I think that will work better than buying the 3 or 4" pots from the garden center.

I plan on going to GFS to pick up a sleeve of the deli containers. They are only a few bucks, and you get either 50 or 100 of the containers. I'm just going to poke a few holes in the bottoms for drainage and use them. As a bonus, it will let me see if they are starting to get roots around the edges since they are clear.

I'll probably go with the 32 oz size since I'm not too sure what the weather is going to do and I can keep most of the plants in that size for longer if need be.

is it generally necessary to pot up...

You're gonna get good at potting up! There are a hundred ways to do it badly/wrong. I suggest using The Google and finding a tutorial. The last thing you want is a badly stuck tomato with a 90º+ bend in the main root (if you don't know why this is bad, tutorial).

Dan

When potting up, is that the time to switch to the mix that will be used in the beds (be that Mel's mix or otherwise)? Or do you pot up with seed starting mix?

luke,

I pot up using a potting mix... same stuff that is in my beds and water with a weak solution of fish emulsion. My plants are doing just fine :-)

Liisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Liisa's Garden Journey

I usually use a combination of seed starting mix and planting soil when potting up. I use Styrofoam cups either 8oz or 160z.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening by the Seat of my Pants

My advice would be not to start too early your first time. If its 6-8 wks before, go for the 6 wks. Plants tend to start getting tall and skinny if grown inside too long, even with good lights. Its better to have a strong plant a little later than a weak plant early.

Good gardening, Mary