'Potting Up' Seedlings - Is It Really Necessary?!

Which seedlings should you "pot up" into larger containers? And which ones should go right from these seed trays into the ground?

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[jtimwest]

I put out over 400 tomato plants. I use a three inch auger on an electric drill. Life changer!

[andreamortimer]

Travis, I believe the reason why the soil is topped with perlite is to prevent fungus gnats from infesting the soil.

[WeatherNut]

@3:18 interesting take to go from tray to ground.. I always pot up. Does take a lot of time but I need those extra 4 week head start here in Connecticut

[chuck]

Love your videos, this is my second year starting my garden from seed.I use 36 cells in the 10-20 tray.2 seeds in each once they’re 6-8 inches tall I separate them and go directly into garden. Side note, love that knife! I’ve had mine for about 6 months now. Don’t go anywhere without my Osborne 940!!!

[BigFamilyRescue]

Another great vid. This year we just started peppers in the larger ones you stepped up into. We planted multiple seed in each pot and then just pinch off unwanted ones. That way we don’t have to deal with stepping them up. Downside I guess is we don’t have all the extras that you’ll have. Lol

[robinwalsh]

You said who would grow that many peppers. My husband laughed and I told him to not say a word. I like peppers and so does everyone who gets free peppers. LOL

[annegranger]

As always, great info and thank you Travis for all you do. Like many others, I am pressed for space. Growing in zone 6a I try to start peppers and eggplant about 8-10 weeks early and give tomatoes about 6-8 weeks before planting them out. Since I use a heat mat for eggplant and peppers, I start them off in smaller cells, than pot and pot them up once they get their first set of true leaves. Growing everything inside under lights, tomatoes germinate without any additional heat within 3-5 days. I start those in 4 inch pots but only fill half of the pot. As they grow, I come back a couple of times and add more soil, gradually burying more of the stem. Once they get planted out, again burying most of the stem, they have a deep root system and do well in our Kansas summer. Doing it this way, isn't much different than potting up but it helps avoid mishaps or the plants having to deal with the stress of re-potting. This is also a great way to do tomatoes if you start them off in Solo cups. Works for me cause I only do about 20 tomatoes in my small urban garden.

[carolavant]

Better late than never - I spent most of yesterday in the kitchen! Now, as far as transplants go, I usually plant my tomatoes out from the 162 tray. If I can get a row ready in time, I'll plant my peppers out directly from the tray I have them in - They're still under grow lights and I'll be hardening them off this week (it's been pretty cool up until now). If it had stayed cool like last year, I'd have potted them up and waited for the weather to change. I'm fixin' to plant sunflowers out from a 162 tray - unless I have extras to sell or give away, I won't pot them up either.

[zinnialady]

Thanks for sharing. Lol I’m one of the lazy ones too. I start my seeds in the 18 cell but only start about 200 plants. Just in case this would help someone I wet my soil first with boiling water to prevent fungus gnats. The rusted garden channel suggested that. Starting peppers for first time this year. Put them on a heat mat then covered it with two bath towels. Has been a week and quite a few have germinated so think that helped. Use my closed porch as a greenhouse, works well. Have always started seeds in seed starting mix. Living Traditions channel mentioned they start theirs in potting soil, but cover seeds with seed starting mix. I’m trying that method this year.

[McSnicker]

I always use fine vermiculite to lightly cover seeds in trays. Has been working well in my set up..

[littlefootranch]

Here in Colorado, I pot up Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, flowers & herbs. Those all take forever to grow & I can’t put anything in the ground until Memorial Day. I start my seeds in the tiny cells but then pot up in 4-6” inch pots, depending on the plant & how big it is. Now squash varieties, cucumbers & melons I don’t start until mid April so those will all go straight in the ground as small transplants.

And I think working with dry mix is easier too!

[joelhenderson]

Travis with my peppers I just plant in the big squares they do fine when the germinate I don't have to move em. I dont step them up plant right out the tray. It what ever works for people I guess I may be a little lazy when it comes to having to step up.

[pat_in_va]

Here in 6B I step-up most of what I seed start so I have larger plants to transplant in early May. I use a generic potting mix. I don't have a "greenhouse" so they are started inside, and I wet the mix before I put the seedlings in the step-up pots. I reuse my plastic pots until they just can't be used any longer. Some are purchased, most of my pots are from various plant purchases

[janetleeharrison]

This is music to my ears! Really liking your laid back approach to seedlings - start to finish. THANKS & just subscribed!

[HollyMarsh]

Another great video!
I'm getting my greenhouse up this week, I hope. My husband will be glad to get all my trays of seedlings out of the basement. Hopefully I can get an early start of the tomatoes and peppers.

[larrymoore]

Travis I agree with you about transplanting adding time and energy when you have to double transplant. I understand they need to be heartier but why wouldn't you start the peppers in the larger pots??

[Supertilt]

Another very informative video sir. Perfect timing for me too. I'm still in the dead of winter here (-25°C with the windchill this morning) but I have some peppers in my grow tent that will need to be potted up soon. I should also add I bought a yellow and a red pepper in the 50% off bin just for the seeds inside and thats what I planted with about a 90% germination rate! I still have a bunch of seeds in a baggy to use another time.

[small-timegarden]

hey! good stuff! I agree with you on the peppers and the amount of rootball space you allow them. I like to see full rootballs

[NotARealHomestead]

I do a lot of casting. There's actually a commercial greenhouse near here that does almost all their seed starting through casting, and then separate them into cell packs. I now do that with a lot of things that don't mind a little root disturbing. It saves them a ton of water, and reduces the risk of Little cells drying up

[TalkingThreadsMedia]

This weekend, I get to pot up my tomatoes! (Seeds were started in your 162 trays). The weather here in Olympia is not conducive to planting into the garden until the first of May. I find the process of up-potting to be relaxing and enjoyable. Would LOVE to have a greenhouse...but it just isn't in the budget. For the time being, my 'plant-babies" reside in the end of the dining room. Our 8a/b growing season is generally believed to be 154 days -- not anywhere close to what you get in your area... Best wishes from Kate.