Posted on March 30, 2023 by Van Becelaere Greenhouse

Have you ever wondered if one type of seedling will thrive better after planting in the ground than another? Today, we’ll answer that question, and you might be surprised to discover the short answer is yes.

Whether planting a seedling that has matured into a starter plant, grown to fill in a 1-gallon container, or a bare root plant, we’ll share how to go about transplanting the individual forms and suggest plants for each.

All Plants Start Somewhere

Growing plants from seed is a time-consuming task, yet very rewarding. But depending upon the type of plant you’re trying to grow, it all comes down to a plant’s germination cycle. That’s why starting with a plant that has already germinated from a cultivator or hothouse can speed up the growth cycle for home gardeners.

Starter Plants

Achieving success with starter plants requires understanding the fundamentals of planting and cultivating. It begins with choosing the right plants for your environment, where you plan to grow outdoors, and ensuring the plants receive sunlight, water, nutrients, and soil.

Once planted, it’s essential to regularly check on plant health and ensure the soil is moist, receiving ample nutrients, and bug-free to maintain a healthy growing environment. Furthermore, starter plants must be pruned and trimmed throughout their growth journey to promote a healthy root system and encourage maximum growth potential.

The most common form of starter plants will be your garden vegetables and berries. Here is a short list of the most popular starter plants for your garden this season:

• Tomatoes
• Squash, including zucchini
• Strawberries
• Peppers

1-Gallon Container Plants

Container-grown plants often establish faster than older or even younger plants. The price point associated with 1-gallon container plants is also more affordable than larger plants.

With patience and the proper steps, container-grown plants can quickly adjust to being transplanted outdoors. Although, some of the potential challenges that may arise include the following:

• Insect attacks
• Fungus or disease
• Wildlife

The type of plant will help you determine where best to transplant into your yard. Of course, that depends on how much sunlight the plant needs and how well the soil drains. 

You can also leave the plant in its 1-gallon container and place the container plant in a different location temporarily in your yard until you’ve found that perfect spot to transplant.

However, it is essential to understand what types of plants will thrive when transplanted into the ground. Here are a few types of plants commonly grown in 1-gallon containers:

• Most trees and shrubs
• Some garden vegetables: spinach, vine tomatoes, Swiss chard
• Herbs like Greek Oregano, lemon balm, English thyme

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants sound almost intimidating since, you guessed it right, they are often shipped without soil. In truth, transplanting bare root plants is quite simple.

There are just a few tips to keep in mind and ensure a fruitful transplant. For instance, the best time of year to transplant bare root plants is in the fall or early spring. That is so the plants can emerge and establish faster.

Although bare-root plants sound vulnerable, transplanting should be easy if the roots touch the sidewall soil and get entirely covered by nutrient-rich dirt. Again, with some grit and time, any bare-root plant can thrive and survive even when planted in dry workable clay soil.

Knowing which plants will flourish in-ground is essential to ensure a successful transplant. Here are several types of bare-root plants that grow well in the Four States:

• Vining plants, like grapes, raspberries, and blackberries
• Other non-vining berry plants, such as blueberries and currants
• Bulbs: Dutch iris, wild onions, or tulips

Contact Your Local Greenhouse Nursery

Call and speak with the friendly staff at the Van Becelaere Greenhouse in Pittsburg, Kansas, at (620) 231-1127 today to place an early order for:

• A Tray of starters
• Any 1-gallon container Plants
• Bulk order of bare root plants

Their knowledgeable staff can place your order in time for early Spring planting.