Transplant Time

The tomato and pepper seedlings are doing really well. Most have their third set of leaves and need to be transplanted into some larger pots, so that's what I did. I bought some larger pots that can actually be planted right into the final big container later since they break down easily. They're supposed to be less stress on the plant from multiple transplantings, and it saves me the step of having to wash them out later, so I think it's a win-win.

The tomatoes had some pretty serious roots on them, so I think they'll be happy to be in their new homes. I put a bit of potting mix down in the new pots, then some crushed eggshells since tomatoes and peppers both like calcium, and then put the seedlings in. For the tomatoes, that meant burying them all the way up to the first set of leaves. I think it's pretty cool that they'll grow roots off the stem and be stronger.

I've also taken to pointing a fan at the seedlings for 15 minute increments a few times a week to help them toughen up. It will be a few more weeks before they go outside for day trips to start hardening off, but it can't hurt to get a jump-start, right?

How are your seedlings doing?

Transplanting Peas

The peas were getting huge. I knew it was time to transplant them to a larger container. We apparently sowed them just a bit too early so they'll be living inside just a little longer. I'll still have to acclimate them to the outdoors eventually, but right now we still can't get our porch door open because of the GIANT snow bank in front of it, so that's not going to be happening soon.

We got the pot - one of the MANY five-gallon black plastic pots from Griffin - and filled it with our fluffed up soil (that we mixed with some of our fertilizer in a big trash can) and wet it down. Then we gently massaged the seedlings out of their tray. I was thrilled to see some extensive root structure, but was a little shocked at how dry the soil was, despite my regular watering.

We used the dowel rods to create a trellis to give the pea shoots some support. I think some plain dowels and a hair band make a pretty awesome trellis, no?
Since we had six plants and 3 dowels, it made sense to put two by each dowel to offer support. Planting, watering and we're all set!

Oh, and I put some of those fertilizer stakes we bought in. The package suggested putting in 6 around each plant. Gosh, can't imagine why they suggest that you use so many all at once. Couldn't be so you run out and need to go buy more of their product, right? Whatever. I put a few in around the dowels and called it a day.

Right now they'll be living in the front room by our big picture window to get the light and hopefully they can move outside in about 2 weeks. We'll see how they grow!