Gardening in October/November

Jobs to do in the garden this October/November: 

  1. Transplant seedlings (September/October)

  2. Divide perennials (September/October)

  3. Harden off seedlings (Late October/November)

  4. Planting seedlings out (November)

  5. Direct Sow (November) 



My guide to transplanting seedlings: 

The things you will need: 

  • Potting Mix 

  • Face Mask 

  • Plant labels 

  • Dibber 



How I transplant my seedlings: 

  • Once your seedlings are starting to get too big for the tray you sowed them in you can start to transplant them. 

  • Start by preparing your pots and soil. Wearing your face mask, get the potting mix and fill your pots approximately two thirds of the way up. Then use the dibber to make 2 deep holes approximately 3cm apart. If you’re using a small pot you will only 

  • Using the dibber, or pencil, carefully use it to poke down the pot and lift the seedlings up. This is the fiddley part when you need to very gently pry apart the seedlings. 

  • Once you have the seedlings separated, you can put a seedling in each of the holes you prepared. 

  • Now you can press the soil around the roots of the seedling and firm it down. 

  • Make sure you give your seedlings a good water in. They don’t need full sun so pop them somewhere they won’t get frosted and won’t get too stressed from heat. 

  • After a week or so you can start to harden them off. 




Hardening off your seedlings: 

  • This is a really easy process but a very important one to ensure the survival of many of your seedlings. The idea is to slowly adjust the plants to the real conditions they will be in. 

  • I start by taking my seedlings outside and put them somewhere covered that doesn’t get too much sun. Under a verandah or against a house in a mini tunnel house works really well. I leave them there for a few days and if they are in a mini tunnel house I then open up the door each day for a few days.  

  • Then I will leave it open for the night for another week and then it should be time to plant out your seedlings into the garden or a bigger pot. 




Why do you transplant and harden off seedlings:

  • This is commonly where people get stuck when growing from seed. It can be a fiddley process but it is an important one and something you learn best by just giving it a go. Trial and error is the best way to learn. 

  • By transplanting seedlings you are giving them the chance to grow into a bigger and healthier plant. They will have more access to water, nutrients and light and also have much more space. 



Handy and helpful tips: 

  • Use a small dibber to help you lift the seedlings out without damaging the roots. 

  • Hold the seedlings by the leaves so you don’t damage the stems 

  • Put sticks around the plants when you plant them out in the garden to keep out pests like rabbits and birds. 

  • Use dried crushed egg shells to put around your seedlings to help prevent the slugs from eating your plants. 

Flora Brons