Transplanting cabbage seedlings?

Question

This year my wife planted some cabbage seeds outdoors. After a few weeks she dug up the seedlings and replanted them somewhere else.

Why could she not just plant the seeds without going to the trouble of transplanting them?

Answer 1

She may have planted them in a shady place to keep them from burning up while they was young and tender..It is just now time to put cabbage seedlings outside here in North Floirda..which I started mine indoors about 2 months ago..nnow that the seedlings have grown and it is time to put out..she has possibly moved them now that they are "hardened off " in the shade and moved to a sunny spot..some do not have an indoor growing light set up like I do  and do start some plants in a shady place untill transplanting time..Or possibly she planted them in an area that would not grow too well due to shade and has replanned her original thoughts on what to plant where..I know alot of pweople that have a seedling bed or area where they start plants then move later on

Answer 2

Personally I tend to grow them in pots in a cold greenhouse. That way you can start them off earlier. You can sow them direct but brassicas like firm rooting so the tendancy is to grow them in a seed bed then replant them and 'heel them in', that is use a dipper to create a hole, deeper than the roots, then drop the plant and shove the dibber in next to it, a few inches away and tilt it over so that is closes the first hole up nice and snug. This stops the plants rocking in the wind as there is nothing worse that roots being rocked to make brassicas bolt.

Also dig in a little lime before you plant and, espcially with summer crops, don't forget to put netting over them, or the cabbage whites will have them before you get the chance.

Answer 3

What your wife has done is exactly the correct procedure. First of all seedlings are always much to close together,secondly, by transpanting she will have planted them at the correct depth to develop into a mature plant. Seedlings normally have a tenuous hold in the soil and flop over. She will now have the cabbage in a nice line or bed at the correct spacing. Well done Mrs  

Answer 4

Seedlings are usually grown in a prepared seed bed and fairly close together.

Eventually it is necessary to 1st of all thin them out and then transplant them to where they are to grow to  maturity.

I hope you now feel better that she really does know what she is doing & you owe her a glass of her favourite wine!

Regards.