Hitting the Perfect Timing for Transplanting a Plant

The question of perfect timing of doing things in life usually makes a difference between success and failure. It’s not likely that plants are aware of the existence of time, but gardeners should be. From where I’m standing, time is definitely one of my best garden friends. If you’ve read my easy guide to transplanting plants you’re half way through the process. The other half about hitting the perfect timing for transplanting a plant has just been passing by in front of your eyes.

Garden Clock is a Nice-Looking Reminder of Your Gardening Tasks and Plans

Are you Dealing with Cold Hardy Crops or Warm Season Crops

I’ve found out that cold hardy crops can be planted in the first days of spring. The reason for that lies in their ability to survive lower temperatures and frost.

Examples of my favorite cold hardy crops are kohlrabi from the cabbage family, leafy green vegetables like chard and kale, and root veggies such as carrots and radishes.

Another knowledge that came as a result of my experience is that warm season plants prefer transplantation after saying good bye to the last frost.

As soon as you witness that touching moment you can start transplanting your warm season crops such as beans, eggplant, okra, squash, tomatoes, corn and cucumbers.

Check the Weather Forecast

One of the most important notes in my garden diary is the average last frost date. My actions depend on that date but it’s not a catastrophe either if you don’t know when to expect it to happen.

My backup plan means that I wait until two weeks before my average frost date to transplant my cold hardy plants, and another two weeks to do the same with warm season crops.

But there’s one more detail that you have to take into consideration when transplanting a plant. It’s called the first set of true leaves. 

Make sure to let me know if you have any questions about transplanting your garden friends.