In a recent GA Jane was transplanting seedlings. She said they should be done when they’ve developed their first set of true leaves. But I notice she was only putting them into a bigger seedling tray. If I want to put my seedlings into the garden do I let them get a bit bigger?

Also, silverbeet – each seed sends up several plants. Do I separate these when I plant them out? Or leave them grow as a single bunch?

I assume I have to separate the beetroot, which do the same thing, so the tuber has room to grow?

SueBk said:

In a recent GA Jane was transplanting seedlings. She said they should be done when they’ve developed their first set of true leaves. But I notice she was only putting them into a bigger seedling tray. If I want to put my seedlings into the garden do I let them get a bit bigger?

Also, silverbeet – each seed sends up several plants. Do I separate these when I plant them out? Or leave them grow as a single bunch?

I assume I have to separate the beetroot, which do the same thing, so the tuber has room to grow?

I would let them get a bit bigger before putting them in the garden. You can either sow them sparingly to start with so they have room to get bigger, or transplant into individual pots or more spaced in a tray.

I separate the silverbeet.

I think she just tipped a whole packet of seeds into it – all up one end in an area about 6 inches x 6 inches!
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these need to be separated into their own individual pots – and planted out in spring (after frost). where are you? – queensland may be ok now? i would grow them to about 15cm high in a sunny spot in the pot first – although they do have a hardy root system.

SueBk said:

In a recent GA Jane was transplanting seedlings. She said they should be done when they’ve developed their first set of true leaves. But I notice she was only putting them into a bigger seedling tray. If I want to put my seedlings into the garden do I let them get a bit bigger?

Also, silverbeet – each seed sends up several plants. Do I separate these when I plant them out? Or leave them grow as a single bunch?

I assume I have to separate the beetroot, which do the same thing, so the tuber has room to grow?

silver beet have only one plant per seed so two seeds might be close together. you can separate them when you transplant.
beetroot or silver beet can just be ‘thinned’ – leave the strongest one and remove its nearby, weaker neighbours.

silverbeet, beetroot, carrots, spinach, parsley, parsnip, lettuces, peas, and beans — to name a few — should be planted directly into final position as seed, and not transplanted. even if the final position is a big pot instead of garden bed. some others: like cucumber, pumpkin, and melon, also don’t tolerate root disturbance very well…so either be very careful and transplant these with entire rootball intact, or plant direct into final position from seed.
any decent vegetable growing book or guide will cover these things about each vegie. they will also tell you which vegies need more nitrogen, and if any have any other peculiar requirements for soil ph, temperature, or other.

aquarium said:

silverbeet, beetroot, carrots, spinach, parsley, parsnip, lettuces, peas, and beans — to name a few — should be planted directly into final position as seed, and not transplanted. even if the final position is a big pot instead of garden bed. some others: like cucumber, pumpkin, and melon, also don’t tolerate root disturbance very well…so either be very careful and transplant these with entire rootball intact, or plant direct into final position from seed.
any decent vegetable growing book or guide will cover these things about each vegie. they will also tell you which vegies need more nitrogen, and if any have any other peculiar requirements for soil ph, temperature, or other.

All my seeds are in jiffy pots (or pellets – the already filled ones that you soak), so the whole thing just goes in the ground. The only root veg I’ve planted in pots is the beetroot. Haven’t got carrots in yet. Maybe tomorrow. It rained a little this afternoon while I was having my nana nap.

I bought Yates a while ago as it was highly recommended, but its really way to general. A lot of the veg information just doesn’t say anything. For garlic it says to pick after the tops die off and that’s about it. No idea about how long that is or anything.

I have had Annette Mcfarlane’s book out from the library and another think called Organic Gardening, by someone rivalling Pete for age. His wife wrote the section on herbs. Sound familiar to anyone? I like Annette’s book ‘cause she’s a local. What books do people use a lot?

SueBk said:

aquarium said:

silverbeet, beetroot, carrots, spinach, parsley, parsnip, lettuces, peas, and beans — to name a few — should be planted directly into final position as seed, and not transplanted. even if the final position is a big pot instead of garden bed. some others: like cucumber, pumpkin, and melon, also don’t tolerate root disturbance very well…so either be very careful and transplant these with entire rootball intact, or plant direct into final position from seed.
any decent vegetable growing book or guide will cover these things about each vegie. they will also tell you which vegies need more nitrogen, and if any have any other peculiar requirements for soil ph, temperature, or other.

All my seeds are in jiffy pots (or pellets – the already filled ones that you soak), so the whole thing just goes in the ground. The only root veg I’ve planted in pots is the beetroot. Haven’t got carrots in yet. Maybe tomorrow. It rained a little this afternoon while I was having my nana nap.

I bought Yates a while ago as it was highly recommended, but its really way to general. A lot of the veg information just doesn’t say anything. For garlic it says to pick after the tops die off and that’s about it. No idea about how long that is or anything.

I have had Annette Mcfarlane’s book out from the library and another think called Organic Gardening, by someone rivalling Pete for age. His wife wrote the section on herbs. Sound familiar to anyone? I like Annette’s book ‘cause she’s a local. What books do people use a lot?

I know that a lot of your vegies are more ‘southern’ but Leonie Norington’s book “Tropical Food Gardens” will give some info on the more tropical vegies and herbs. If nothing else it’s a nice read.

my latest book on gardening is by far the most comprehensive in all aspects….“Organic Gardening in Australia” edit in chief Pauline Pears. If you’re willing, it even tells you how to make a winter shelter for good bugs like ladybirds. On a more practical level, every detail for growing vegies and fruit is covered. For example, some books will tell you that you need suitable pollinating fruit trees, full stop….this book tells you exactly what they are, etc.
a quicker reference for growing vegies = the Diggers produced “growing fruit & veg” book
when you’re sick of all the detail, and want to start thinking in bigger picture terms, there’s “The Practical Australian Gardener” by Peter Cundall. It covers the necessities for growing fruit and vegies but is written with a thicker stroke, so it’s not right into minute detail. I thoroughly like this book also.

there’s a lot of other gardening books out there…and whilst they are generally on the cheaper side and seem to cover the right material when you glance at the index….they turn out to be mostly waffle about nothing, and detail is missing where needed.
amazon website is a good starting place when considering buying a book, as the reader reviews are very helpful.

i agree with you there Aquarium there as some good books and then there aren’t, there is a problem for me but all the good books are hard for me to read.