Preparing Cool-Season Seedlings for Prosperity
                                          (3 April 2014)

The weather is now more typical for this time of year with cooler evenings and relatively warmer days, interspersed with unpredictably predictable winds, cold snaps, and rain. Additionally, the soil still contains enough warmth to get new plants established before the freeze of winter arrives. If you haven’t already, there is still time to plant out both store-bought and homegrown winter veggie seedlings (and some seeds – make sure and do your research first though). There are a few steps before, during and after planting that will see them off to a racing start including:

• Harden-off seedlings to make transition from glasshouse to garden bed less stressful. Firstly, put them in protected sunny spot outside during the day and undercover at night. After several days, leave them outside overnight also, but keep an eye on forecast, moving them back undercover if cold snap is predicted.
  

• Ensure seedlings are well-watered before planting (applying liquid tonic such as seaweed extract or weak worm/compost/comfrey tea during hardening-off stage is beneficial). Give garden bed good water beforehand, allowing water to soak in first so you don’t end up making mud pies and damaging precious soil structure. 

• When planting, if seedlings are in punnets and not individual cells, separate carefully to minimise stress.
  

• Water in well with a gentle mist and apply light covering of organic mulch. Apply a second dose of seaweed extract and/or organic tea. Watch not to overwater during establishing phase though, as you can kill your seedlings with kindness. 
  

• Protect from snails etc. I recommend going outside in the mornings and evenings to check and remove predators away from your precious vegetative family until they are established and more resilient. If you only have a small number of plants, protecting each one individually with open-bottomed pot or similar works well.