Transplanting February seedlings and 1st March sowings

Denise with one of her giant sweet pea seedlings

Despite waking up to blue skies and sunshine it was bloody cold today.  The sun would come out, baking you and making you sweat, then the wind gusted and it got bitterly cold again. On our walk this morning layers came off and went back on again in quick succession, Margaret said it was like experiencing four seasons in one day!

Inside it was warm, cosy and mild. A tunnel really is a great asset for gardening in our unpredictable climate.The east limerick crew spent the morning baking in the warm shelter of Jacks tunnel and transplanting the tomato, chili, and pepper seedlings we had set on the 1st March.

Sweet peas originally sown a week later were also good to go, some of them with massive roots already, so if you can sow them directly into deep pots you are probably better off in the long run.

The tomatoes Chili's and peppers will be going back to the cold frame/tunnel as none of them can yet tolerate out outdoor temperatures yet.

 The sweet peas, once they have recovered from transplanting will be hardened off and hopefully transplanted outside by the end of March or the beginning of April.

an army of transplanted seedlings for the lads to cart home

For transplanting we used a good organic peat free multipurpose, keeping the finer grade stuff for sowing seeds in the afternoon. Once everyone got the hang of holding the seedlings by the leaves, not the stems, and loosening the root systems before they moved them , they started to enjoy themselves!

After a lunch of Jack and Mary telling yarns we went back to work. This time to sow the first of our March seeds.Today we set leeks, cabbages, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflowers, onions, spinach, lettuce and salad greens. Next week we will sow the next set of flowers and move on to peas and beans.  

Remember your transplanting rules!


1. It must have 4 leaves to be transplanted, or at least the threat of a second set of leaves.
2. The seedlings must be well watered before you transplant them so the roots wont dry while they are being moved. This applies to anything you transplant don't leave its roots exposed, especially on windy or hot days.
3. Handle seedlings by the leaves never the stems !! and by the seed leaves is best.
4. Loosen the roots, never pull the seedling to you-you go to it.
5. Keep the surface level the same from the seed tray to the pot, don't bury extra deep or raise up extra high the seedlings fragile stem.
6. Water the seedlings well after transplanting and keep them well watered while they settle in, especially if they experience hot dry weather after transplanting.