Once you have purchased your seedlings and plants, what should you do next? Sometimes just whacking them into the ground is a sure-fire way to kill them, so what do we advise?

Cool season crops such as onions, lettuce, beets and peas can go straight into the soil once it is consistently warm (around 10 ℃). Plant seedlings out while they are still quite young if the outdoor conditions are favourable. Check out our vegetable planting calendar to help you plan when is the best time to sow outside. Younger seedlings will establish themselves quicker than a plant that is root bound, so don’t hold back too long.

Young and tender plants need acclimatizing before planting out- called hardening off. Put your plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day for a few hours and gradually increase the time over a week or two until they are out for the full day/ night. Once they are used to the outdoors, they are ready to go into the ground.

Firstly, make sure the potting mix is moist. Plants can easily go into shock if they are removed from dry soil and placed into new soil and conditions. Giving them a water with a seaweed solution is even better. Ensure that your soil is rich in organic matter by adding compost and well-rotted manures. Dig holes that are deep and wide enough to accommodate the new plant and its existing potting mix using a trowel, dibber or hands. Gently remove from their tubes or pots. If stuck give the pot rim a quick tap while upside down with your fingers on either side of the stem and soil to prevent them from suddenly shooting out.

Lay out pour plants beside each hole or do one plant at a time, just don’t allow them to dry out. Drop in your seedling, back fill with soil and firm them in gently to ensure the new soil is surrounding the plant. Lankier seedlings can be planted deeper, especially tomatoes as they love it, just don’t bury the lower leaves. Water in the new plants to help them settle in.

Covering the new seedlings with some mesh or garden fleece will help protect them a little from the elements and birds who love new shoots. Secure them well so they wont blow around in the wind and pin them around the edges. Once the weather has warmed up or the plants are well established you can remove or adjust the covers. Keeping brassicas covered to prevent cabbage white butterflies from laying their eggs is the easiest pest deterrent, but be sure to check them regularly just in case. A good outbreak of caterpillars can undo weeks of growing in a few days.

Now sit back and look forward to the coming bounty.