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Planting seeds and transplanting seedlings is quite simple.  If your soil is already prepared, then you only need a few tools: a small trowel (hand shovel), a watering can or hose with a nozzle attachment to adjust the force of the spray, a bucket of compost or soil, and gloves if you desire.  Seed packets have information on them regarding how deep the seed should be placed into the soil, how far apart they should be from one another, and how much water they require.  Follow the instructions on the packet, but it’s better to plant too shallow rather than deep.  Seeds planted too deep will have a hard time finding the sunlight and sprouting out of the soil.  You can use a ruler or just approximate using your knuckles as a reference. When transplanting seedlings, it’s helpful to have extra compost and a trowel.  Then follow these steps:

1)  Dig a small hole in your soil for the seedling.

2)  Remove the plant from the container, but keep it in the soil it came in.  Carefully break up the roots at the base of the soil and place the plant in the hole dug into the bed.  You can mix some extra compost in before placing the plant in. 

3)  Gently fill the space around the plant with the extra soil, covering up the soil that the plant came in.  You can use your fingers to gently press down on the soil around the plant so that it is firmly in place. 

4)  Water and cover around the base with extra compost or mulch to retain soil moisture.   Once the plants have been planted, it’s time to sit back, watch, and wait for your fruits and veggies!  Your small garden might require some light weeding, but don’t start weeding until you can recognize your seedlings and not mistake them for a weed.  It’s helpful to use labeled markers in your beds (popsicle sticks or color coded flags) so that you can remember what crops you planted.  Using the information from your seed packets and from our Resource Guide, be diligent about watering based on each plant’s requirements.   

For more detailed instructions, see: Farmers Almanac: Planting Tools Refer to these resources as well if you encounter any plant pests – like diseases, insects, or other herbivores.  You might find that your fence is not good enough to keep out squirrels or rabbits and so you might need chicken wire instead of fence posts.  Reapplying mulch and compost can control weed growth around your plant and keep the soil healthy.   

Next, see Harvests, Second Plantings, and Second Harvests

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