What does Transplanting mean?
Transplanting is the process of moving a fully germinated seedling (or mature plant) and replanting it in a permanent location for the growing season.
Transplanting is an important part of agribusiness in northern climates because it extends the flowering or fruit bearing season of many plants.
A plant that has been recently transplanted is sometimes referred to as a transplant.
More Info on Transplanting
Seeding plants directly in the ground requires specific temperatures and conditions to properly germinate and grow. In some climates those conditions don’t occur until late in the spring, so transplanting is a viable option.
While the temperature outside is still cold, vegetable plants such as tomatoes that require warmer temperatures to germinate can be seeded in cellular packs, trays, or individual pots in a greenhouse.
A warm greenhouse provides the optimum conditions for germination and development of the young seedlings. After a month or so the outside temperature warms enough so that all danger of frost has passed and the seedlings can be transplanted outside. This extends the northern growing season considerably.
Flowers such as annuals are also grown in greenhouses as transplants, and nurseries routinely pot or ball and burlap trees and shrubs for later transplanting.
