Preparing Seedlings for Planting

Preparing Container-Grown Seedlings for Planting

Container-grown seedlings are extracted from the tubes or blocks in which they are grown and placed in plastic bags for shipment. Each bag contains a set number of seedlings, usually 25 to 30 per bag, depending on the grower. Some growers may wrap seedlings in plastic wrap rather than bags.

• Spring Planting—Seedlings for spring planting may be shipped frozen. They must be thawed before planting.
  
  
• Summer Planting—Seedlings delivered for summer planting should be planted as soon as possible. Summer planting has a short planting window and storage must be brief. If seedlings are held more than 7 to 10 days, the initial growth benefit of summer planting will begin to be lost. These seedlings are very active physiologically and have active root growth.
  
  
• Fall Planting—Fall planting also is designed for short storage, but longer storage is permissible. Seedlings have usually completed most of their seasonal growth and are entering the fall hardening-off phase. Some root growth may occur if seedlings are planted early. Seedlings may be stored for 10 to 20 days at 31 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit.