Creating your own Wellness Part 5
Transplanting seedlings, starting that next step of gardening in the new season is so rewarding, exciting and is a wonderful time of planning for new life, new herbal and medicinal stock to be harvested.
In our last post , Spring was just around the corner and now it is summer that will grace us with new flowers, herbs and its abundant presence. It was hard not to put out transplants right away ( we literally had a frost 5/18) as the weather warms and mother natures flowers, herbs and the like have already begun to sprout. That is the difference between hardiness and the delicacy of new seedlings and transplants.
I did begin to transplant the seedlings with secondary or true leaves in larger pots allowing for the root structures to grow and become more hardy. In this time , I began to move these plants out into our four season room and a few hours outside to encourage the seedlings to become more accustomed(hardiness) to their outdoor environment and not go into shock when transplanted into the outdoor garden. Exposure to natural sun light, wind, rain the plants natural environment for a few hours a day will create a healthier and more resilient transplant. S
You will still need to keep an eye out for birds and critters that will look at your transplant as a tasty morsel. Trays with netting or chicken wire are decent deterrents. I tend to put mine out and what happens, happens....I will spray a mixture of distilled water, cloves, garlic ,apple cider vinegar and cayenne powder around the plants (not on it, this will harm the seedlings and effect the taste of edibles, this is a deterrent, does not harm any little critters).
The hardening process usually is around a couple of weeks for me, during this process is the time to prep your transplants new garden home ( garden plot, bed or new pot). Preparing your garden/ flower bed area comprises pulling weeds and any debris, tilling the soil and adding any organic amendments ( I highly recommend composting , even in the smallest of areas you can compost and add vital nutrients to aid in the health and growth of your transplants). I find this part extremely relaxing and a great stress reliever, but that's me.
Next you are going to want have organic and natural pest and disease deterrents. I keep dematiaceous earth , sulfur dust and neem oil on hand all year round. Dematiaceous earth is good to sprinkle around the base of your garden, box, planter ,pot , plant ( a circle around the base not on the plant ) etc.... good for creating a barrier from insects. Sulfur dust is a must for plants that are prone to powdery mildew and the likes, a light dusting over the plants keeps it a bay and from spreading rapidly. . Neem oil for aphids, white flies and basic bug infestations ( create a mixture of water and the neem oil in a spray form).
These are my favorites and definitely not an exhaustive list of aids , but the ones I have used with the most tried and effective results.
Once the seedlings have been hardened and ready for outdoor transplanting, I recommend transplanting in the cooler times of the day to lessen the shock more effectively. Make sure your trans[plant area is the right environment for your seedling to thrive, right sun light for your plant, soil type ( can always amend if need be) and does it need any structure to grow on? Planting depths and companion planting are ideas to think about as well. Always water well when you transplant giving the seedlings root systems the best opportunity for success. You will want to check your seedlings daily , water when the soil is dry to the touch. Too much watering can harm or even kill your seedling.
This is one of my favorite times, watching the plants next evolution in the growth cycle . The enjoyment of fruit (literally sometimes) of my labor and the knowing I am providing for the environment and my family.
Coming in the next blog, more on the grow cycle, trouble shooting and general grow tips as we prepare for a harvesting.
Enjoy the empowering process of growing and creating your own wellness that is kind to you and our environment! Relax, Release, & Recoup!
* This blog is based off my personal growing experiences and in no way speculates this is the only way of growing plants , herbs ,flowers etc... Always do your own research and in growing everything is trial and error. I have had many an error and have learned along the way , it is part of the beauty of gardening and plant propagation. Enjoy, Relax, Release and Recoup!
