Should I remove the biodegradable pot from my plant before planting in the ground?

Although both the coconut coir pots and peat pots I use are biodegradable, plant roots have a hard time getting through the peat pots. So if your plant comes in a peat pot, gently tear off the bottom of the peat pot before transplanting. If your plant is in a coco-coir pot, you may plant it directly in the ground since the spaces between the fibers are large enough for the roots to make their way through. For both types of pots, be sure to cover the top of the pot completely with soil so none of the pot is visible.

Can I grow my plants in containers?

Yes, although some plants are more suited to container growing than others, so click on the “container-suitable” subheading to find those plants. Note that all plants grown in containers will need more attention than plants grown in the ground, e.g. more frequent watering, and most need full sun.

Generally speaking, most annual herbs do fine in containers. Greens such as lettuce, Swiss chard, and kale can also be grown in containers, but they need to be large containers.

All of the Dwarf Tomato varieties are suitable for container growing, but the container should be large, preferably at least 5 gallons for each plant. These tomatoes will also need support such as a tomato cage or trellising. Many customers successfully grow cherry tomatoes in large containers with supports.

Most varieties of peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers can be grown in containers as long as the container is large, at least 3 gallons of soil per plant, and you are growing in full sun. Again, just click on the “container-suitable” subhead to find the plants that will do best in containers.

Can I grow my plants in partial shade?

Yes, but I don’t recommend it. Although they won’t die in partial shade, they will be tall and spindly, and fruiting plants such as tomatoes and peppers will not flower as much, and therefore will not produce as much fruit as plants in full sun.

All herbs and vegetables are happiest in full sun. That said, herbs that can tolerate partial shade include parsley, cutting celery, all mints, and thyme; however, they will grow tall and “leggy,” with fewer leaves compared to stems.

Anything special I need to know about planting the clusters of seedlings in my cilantro, chervil, and dill starts?

Dill, cilantro and chervil will come in 6-pack Fertil pots. Each of the 6 pots will have 2 to 4 seedlings in it. When planting, separate the individual pots buy tearing or cutting them apart. Even though the Fertil pots are biodegradable, cut off the bottom of the pot with a sharp knife before planting it in the ground to allow the roots unimpeded access. Plant each of these pots 3-6 inches apart, being sure that the top of the pot is completely under the soil line, and water in well.

Anything special I need to know about planting Swiss chard, lettuce mix, or arugula?

All of these cooking and salad greens will come in 6-pack Fertil pots. Each of the 6 pots will have 2 to 4 seedlings in it, for a total of 12-24 total seedlings….this is a great buy! When planting, separate the individual pots buy tearing or cutting them apart. Even though the Fertil pots are biodegradable, cut off the bottom of the pot with a sharp knife before planting it in the ground.

For the Swiss chard, plant each pot about 6 inches apart, being sure that the top of the pot is completely under the soil line, and water in well.

For the Arugula, and Lettuce Mix, plant each pot about 6 inches apart. Harvest often, leaving the growing tip in the middle of the plant so it will re-grow. Once the weather turns hot, the plants will bolt (bloom) and you will need to harvest all of the plants before this happens as the leaves et very bitter at this point.

Should I plant my seedlings right away?

In general, yes, but read more about cool- and warm-weather starts below. We "harden off" all our plants, so they are used to being outside in the wind and the sun when you get them. However, the weather does not always cooperate and whether you plant your starts in the ground right away or wait a bit depends on the kind of plant and the weather.

Cool-weather Plants

In general, all of the cool weather plants (broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, lettuce, chard, arugula, mustard mix, and most of the herbs) can and should be planted right away. (See herb exceptions below.) They are used to the cool weather and need to get in the ground so their roots can grow and catch up with their tops.

Warm-weather Plants

All of the warm weather plants (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, ground cherries, tomatillos, basil, borage, lemon verbena, nasturtium, papalo, pineapple sage, shiso, and stevia) should be planted outside when the night-time temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees F. If it is warm in the daytime, but still cold at night, put your plants outside in the day and bring them in at night until it warms up. If you go ahead and plant outside and then it gets cold, cover your plants with a pail at night and uncover when it warms up in the daytime. The most cold sensitive of all the plants are the cucumbers, so make sure the nights are warm before you plant them outside.

How deep should I plant my starts?

It depends on the type of plant.

• Plants with basal leaf arrangement are those whose leaves grow in a tight cluster or rosette at the base of the plant near the ground, such as cilantro, dill, and lettuce. These plants should be planted deep enough that the plant does not flop over, but not so deep that the center of the plant where the new leaves are growing from, gets covered up with soil. In general, this is usually about ¼ inch to 1 inch deeper than it was in the pot.

• Nodal Plants are those whose leaves are arranged along the stem with sections of stem (called internodes) between leaves or sets of leaves. These plants can be planted almost as deep as you want. An overgrown tomato plant that is two feet tall, for example, can be planted with only about 8 inches above ground. See tomato FAQs for an illustration). If the plant is still small and looks healthy, plant it up to 1 inch deeper than it was in the pot.

If your plant has been in the pot too long and has become tall and "leggy,” then you can plant it several inches deeper than it was in the pot. This may seem like you are burying half the plant and setting it behind, but in actuality, your plant will grow stronger and healthier because new roots will grow along the buried stem.

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.