How To Transplant Seedlings To Bigger Pots Step-By-Step

Learn How To Transplant Seedlings To Bigger Pots

When you are growing your seedlings indoors there will come a time when you will need to consider whether or not to transplant seedlings to bigger pots. This can be tricky – and messy – so isn’t always easy if you’re doing it for the first time, which is why it’s important to take a step-by-step approach so you fully understand the process.

Transplanting seedlings to bigger pots involves thinning out your seedlings by removing them from trays or pots carefully without damaging the roots. You will then need to fill the bigger pots with damp mixed compost and make a hole in each one for your seedlings and then backfilling with soil.

This task may seem daunting at first, but in time you’ll learn how to transplant your seedlings relatively quickly. Read on to discover more about the benefits of transplanting seedlings and how to easily repot them step-by-step.

Is It Always Necessary To Transplant Seedlings?

Before we get started on the process of transplanting seedlings, let’s look at whether it is always necessary to transplant seedlings to bigger pots.

The answer is no, you do not always have to repot your seedlings. It is important to assess each situation carefully. For example, if your seedlings are in the early stages of growth or if their real leaves have not yet started to grow then they are not ready to be transplanted.

In fact, you can keep growing some seedlings indoors in trays without ever moving them outside. However, as a rule of thumb, it is likely that most seeds will need transplanting eventually, especially seeds on the bigger side.

I tend to keep my herbs and some lettuce leaves in trays indoors at first and move them outdoors later without transplanting them or I even keep them inside.

This is because they are easy and quick to grow on the windowsill and so I usually only transplant larger seeds. Everyone has a different approach, so with time you will learn what works best for you.

Benefits of Transplanting Your Seedlings

Let’s have a quick look at some of the benefits of transplanting your seedlings.

• More room to grow – if you move your seedlings to larger pots, they will have the space to fully flourish because they won’t have to compete with other seeds for light and air, water and fertiliser.
• Repotting your seedlings allows you to thin them out so you can pick the healthiest seeds to transplant to build up your container garden.
• If you want to plant your seeds in the garden, they will have a better chance of reaching their full potential if you transplant them to pots first.

How To Transplant Seedlings To Bigger Pots Step-By-Step

Step One: Harden Off Your Seedlings

Before you get started transplanting your seedlings, you will need to “harden off” your seeds. This involves allowing the seedlings to transition from a sheltered indoor or greenhouse environment to the outside, where they will be exposed to the elements in their full glory.

This needs to be done slowly, over time, so the seedlings can fully accumulate. Put them outside around once a day for an hour, seven to ten days before transplanting.

• Start the hardening off process around a week to two weeks before the weather becomes suitable to keep them outside permanently.
• Check the specific seeds you are planting to see how much they can tolerate outside conditions.
• Place your seeds in shady spots at first and then gradually increase the amount of sunlight they can receive. The last day can be a full day of exposure.
• Warning: avoid windy and excessively rainy days.

Step Two: Prepare To Transplant

Now your seedlings are hardened off, here are a few steps to take to prepare for the transplanting process. You will need:

• One trough or big bowl full of mixed compost (or whatever soil best suits your seeds).
• One watering can, to water the soil and make it damp.
• A selection of pots around 16cm in length.
• White labels so you can keep track of what seeds you transplanted and when.
• A lot of newspaper to protect your tabletops if you are transplanting your seedlings indoors!

Step Three: Prick Out Your Seedlings

Now your seeds are hardened off and used to the wild outdoors, you can get on with “pricking out” your seedlings. This means separating your seedlings out to transfer them into bigger pots. Naturally, this can be quite a dirty, fiddly process and takes a bit of practice.

The key sign that your seeds are ready to be pricked out, are that they have developed leaves that look like the proper leaves of the plant – rather than the generic seed leaves that all look the same.

Once you have determined that they are ready, separate out all of your seedlings. You can do this by carefully easing them out of their trays. Try to scoop them out like plugs and to retain as much of the soil around them as you can. Don’t go too hard and fast as you may damage your seedlings.

You can then thin out your seedlings by choosing the strongest which will usually be those that have larger leaves. Avoid transplanting ‘leggy’ seedlings if you can.

This is when they have very long stalks because they haven’t had enough access to a light source so have accelerated growth to get closer to light. Leggy seedlings tend to be floppy and weak and are harder to transplant.

Step 4: Transplant Your Seedlings

Now it’s time to transplant your seedlings. Fill your pots with damp soil from the trough or bowl and make a hole in each in the soil with your finger or a pencil or a similarly pointy object and carefully place the seedlings into each hole.

You should put the seedlings in as deep as you can, so only the developed leaves show. The rest of the stem and generic leaves can become roots to help support the seedlings.

Next, backfill each pot with the dirt so it reaches right up to the new leaves. This is a process you will get used to in time – just take a look at my first attempt below!

Step Five: Caring For Your Seedlings

Once you’ve moved your seedlings outside, you will need to look after them through regular watering and fertilisation. You can then sow your next batch indoors so you can have a constant flow of seeds growing quickly on your windowsill to then repot outdoors once they get big enough.

If you have a little more space, you can help your newly transplanted seeds by keeping them covered with row cover. This can protect them from tempestuous weather or birds in the early stages of growth who unfortunately find tender green shoots rather tasty!

Transplant Seedlings to Bigger Pots: Final Thoughts

Transplanting seedlings is a task you’ll inevitably be involved with if you start growing vegetables at home.

And using seed trays is a brilliant way to start your crops indoors and a first step to building your city garden and making the most of your space – be it a backyard, a balcony or small garden.

Just remember that transplanting seedlings is a messy business, so leave yourself some time to carry out the job!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. How did you find your first experience transplanting seedlings to bigger pots? I’d love to hear from you.