Transplanting - How to transfer your grown plants outside

Want to transfer your grown SeedPods outside? Follow these easy steps!

Growing something new in your SmallGarden doesn't mean that you have to part ways with the plants you've been growing for months. You can transplant your plants into new homes, allowing you to grow new plants and enjoy the plants you already have.

To transfer your plants outside, you must first "Harden them off". Hardening off is the process of acclimating your plants to the outside climate prior to moving them outside right away. Preparing your plants by exposing them to outdoor elements will help them grow stronger and healthier; or else your plants may go into shock due to the sudden change in environment. Follow these steps to ensure your plants are thriving and healthy in the outdoors:

*Note: The hardening-off process may take anywhere between 7-14 days. We recommend hardening with temperatures over 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hardening off

1. Remove the SeedPods you wish to transplant from your SmallGarden, keeping the plants in their plastic cups for easy transport. 
2. On the first day, place the plants in a location that is protected from the sunlight and wind for one hour. Move the plant back indoors in your SmallGarden after the hour time limit.
3. Gradually increase the amount of time the plant is outside each day or so. The key is gradual exposure. Please remember not to put plants out on windy days or under 60 degrees.
4. After 3-4 days, you can place the plants in a location that receives more sunlight. Please be advised, if your plants are still considered seedlings, direct exposure to the sun will damage the leaves. Each day the plant will be able to tolerate more hours of the direct sun and wind.
5. If temperatures remain warm throughout the day/night it can be left outside, please check on weather conditions periodically. Please also make sure that the soil does not completely dry up on warmer days.
6. After the initial 7-14 days your plants should be strong enough to be planted outdoor into your garden or a different container. 

Planting

1. Once you're ready to physically plant your plants in a new container or outdoor garden bed, remove the SeedPods from their plastic cups, being careful not to damage the roots.
2. If transplanting into a pot, fill the pot with soil and bury the SeedPod so the new soil barely covers the SeedPod. If you are transplanting into an outdoor garden, make sure you are planting your SeedPod where it will have enough room to grow.

A few extra tips:

When choosing a pot to use for transplanting, make sure you choose one that is not considerably bigger than the SeedPod. We recommend 6 inches in diameter. You may have to transplant your plants again as they continue to grow to provide adequate space for roots to spread. When planting, dig a hole 2x the width and depth of the SeedPod, and press down around the soil by the SeedPod to secure it in its new home.