Hey everyone! I'm a beginner veggie gardener, and I'm super excited about starting my first vegetable garden in my new yard. I have three raised garden beds (8' long, 4' wide, 2' high) plus some lined grow bags. I'm using bulk top soil and compost, and the bottom of the beds is filled with sticks and leaves to save on soil.
I've already started a ton of seedlings, including tomatoes, onions, basil, lettuce, spinach, kale, and a bunch more herbs and veggies. Most of my plants have germinated and are looking healthy, which is great!
Right now, I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the seedlings I have, especially since I read different tips about when to transplant them. I wish to avoid making mistakes that could kill my plants. Can anyone provide advice on when to transplant seedlings, whether I should thin them out, and any tips for keeping them healthy until they're ready to go outside? Just a heads up, I'm in zone 5a (Vermont) and dealing with a shorter growing season with potential frost around Memorial Day.
3 Answers
Congrats on your new garden! It sounds like you’ve taken on a big project, and that’s awesome. You could save yourself some hassle by growing directly in the ground instead of using raised beds, but if you’re set on the beds, potting your plants when their roots reach the bottom of the pots is key. Don’t forget to fertilize and make sure they’re getting enough light!
Also, be sure to harden off your plants before moving them outside completely. It's all about timing, especially with your local climate. You’ve got this!
Watch out for pests too! It’s a learning process, but it'll get easier every season.
Wow, that’s quite an ambitious plan you’ve got there! Just remember, not every seedling will make it, and that’s totally fine! Some plants, like spinach, don’t always transplant well.
I’d recommend getting everything into the ground by Memorial Day if you can. When it gets cold, I cover my plants with sheets or tarps to protect them. Try companion planting too; it can really help with pest management and overall growth.
Make sure you’re consistent with watering and research which fertilizers your plants need. What works for one gardener may not suit you, so experiment a bit.
And don’t be discouraged if some plants don’t take off! It happens to every gardener. Just keep learning and enjoy the process!
It's great to hear your encouragement! I think I’ll stick with a mix of direct sowing and transplanting to see what works best.
Make sure your grow lights are strong enough; if not, your seedlings might struggle. I’d love to see a pic of your setup! Also, it seems like you've got a good mix of everything; keep an eye on those light conditions as they grow.
I’m using Barrina grow lights and they seem pretty solid. I’ll share a pic soon! Thanks for looking out!
Thanks for the tips! I definitely plan to harden them off before planting them outside. I’ll also work on some direct sowing with the greens when I can.