Transplant at the end of the day and water in; or transplant during a cloudy or rainy day. Disturb root systems as little as possible, placing plant gently in soil and firming root ball in.
Transplant to a healthy, fertile garden soil - use compost if at all possible. Compost retains moisture in sandy soils and impedes waterlogging in poorly drained soils. Compost is full of microorganisms necessary for a healthy soil and healthy plants.
Raised beds warm up faster, provide lots of growing depth, and good drainage for air and water.
Protect frost sensitive plants (basil, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, marigolds, cosmos, zinnias...) from temperatures below zero by using floating row covers, or tarps, sheets or plastic.
Our frost free season usually starts the last week of September and lasts until the beginning/middle of March. Row covers may be used to provide earlier and better yields. Frost hardy plants (lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, artichokes, onions, leeks, most herbs, sweet peas, perennials...) also benefit from the use of row covers, but are usually transplanted outside unprotected. Many plants can withstand a hard freeze, such as onions and lettuce.
Space plants far enough apart so that when they are full grown they are not crowded.
Most plants prefer full sun. Ask us which plants are candidates for shady areas.
Keep weeds under control. Plants thrive with less competition from weeds for light, water, and nutrients.
Tomatoes: The hairs on the stem will develop into roots , so prune off lower leaves and bury them deep (or lay them on their side in a trench and bend the growing tip up above the soil). Prune off any open flowers at time of transplanting. ( Generally, it is preferable to transplant any plant before it flowers). Row covers and plastic mulch will provide earlier and heavier yields. Keep plants off the ground for better air circulation to aid in disease control. Some gardeners prune suckers to get earlier fruit. Determinate varieties stop growing taller by themselves, while indeterminate tomatoes will keep growing.
