Ethan Clarke
Transplanting herbs is a great way to save them from wilting and give them a second life. This process involves moving herbs from their current pots into a garden or a bigger container. When transplanting herbs that you've purchased from the supermarket, it's important to note that they are typically grown in a sterile potting medium devoid of nutrients and placed in low-light indoor environments. To help them thrive, transplant them into well-amended soil and give them ample sunshine. Before transplanting, carefully remove the herb from its pot, shake off excess soil from the roots, and prepare a slightly larger pot with potting soil. Set the herb's root ball into the new pot, fill it with soil, and water it thoroughly. This simple process can extend the life of your herbs and allow you to enjoy their freshness for longer.
How to Transplant Herbs in Plastic Sleeve
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transplanting herbs from the garden | Give them enough space to grow and mature |
| Transplanting herbs in pots | Choose a pot that is one size larger than the old one |
| Transplanting herbs from the supermarket | Remove the plant from its pot and shake off excess soil. Prepare a larger pot with a few inches of soil and set the plant's root ball into it. Fill it with soil and water the plant thoroughly. |
| Transplanting herbs from the garden centre | Choose short, bushy plants with dark green leaves, strong white roots, and no fruit. |
| Transplanting herbs as seedlings | Wait until the seedling forms a pair of true leaves. Fill the pot within 1 inch of the rim with soil. Dampen the soil and turn the pot upside down to loosen the root ball. |
| Transplanting herbs indoors | Use high-quality potting soil and remove as much soil from the roots as possible before repotting. Place the plant in indirect sunlight to begin with and then move it into a sunnier spot. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right herbs
Hardiness and Adaptability
Some herbs are more resilient and adaptable than others. For example, perennial herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and mint are known for their hardiness and can be easily propagated by cuttings or transplants. These herbs can survive for years with proper care and the right growing conditions, such as adequate water, sunlight, and temperature.
On the other hand, certain herbs, such as anise, coriander, dill, and fennel, do not transplant well and should be planted directly from seed outdoors. Additionally, woodier herbs like sage and rosemary can be trickier to dig up, so consider starting them in sturdy containers that can be easily moved indoors or outdoors as needed.
Health and Vitality
When choosing herb seedlings, look for signs of health and vitality. Select plants with short, bushy structures and dark green leaves. Check for strong white roots, but avoid those with roots circulating too much in the topsoil, as this indicates stress. Avoid large plants or those that have already flowered and borne fruit, as younger plants will have more energy to focus on root growth and acclimation to a new environment.
Pest and Disease-Free
Always inspect your herbs for pests and diseases before transplanting. Check under the leaves, stems, and roots for any critters, bugs, or insect eggs. Similarly, if you are transplanting herbs with soil, rinse the soil with water to eliminate any potential pests that could infest your garden.
Timing and Temperature
Consider the timing and temperature requirements for the herbs you choose to transplant. For example, transplant mint when the temperature is around 60°F (15.5°C). Gradually harden off your plants before transplanting them outdoors by exposing them to outdoor conditions for a few hours each day, increasing the duration over 7-10 days. This helps them acclimate to sun, wind, and temperature changes.
Transplanting is ideally done in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid shocking the plants with direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Choose an overcast day or early evening after the heat of the day has passed for the actual transplanting process.
Space and Root System
Herbs need adequate space to spread their roots, so choose herbs that are not root-bound or severely competing for space and nutrients. Supermarket herbs are often seeded thickly and grown close together, so they may require more space once transplanted. Select herbs with healthy root systems, and ensure they have enough room to grow and mature in their new environment.
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Preparing the herbs for transplantation
Preparing herbs for transplantation is a simple process, but it requires careful attention to ensure the herbs survive the move. Firstly, it is important to select herbs that are suitable for transplantation. Young, short, bushy plants with dark green leaves and strong white roots are the best candidates. Avoid large plants or those that have already flowered and borne fruit. It is also important to check for any signs of sickness or bug infestations, such as wilted, curled, spotted, or yellowed leaves.
Once you have selected a suitable herb, the next step is to prepare the herb for removal from its current container. Water the herb a few hours before transplantation to dampen the soil and make it easier to remove the root ball. If the roots are covered in soil, gently shake them apart. Do not grab the herb by the stem and pull it out; instead, carefully turn the pot upside down and gently tap the rim against a table to loosen the root ball and slide it out into your hand.
If you are transplanting a seedling, use a spoon to carefully dig it out and hold it by a leaf, never by the stem. If the roots are tangled, loosen them gently. It is normal for root balls to clump together, but if the herb has been in a small pot for a long time, the root ball may retain the shape of the pot. In this case, you can carefully break the root ball to encourage new root growth.
Before transplanting, it is important to select the right type of soil and container. Choose a high-quality potting soil, rather than regular garden soil, and ensure the container has good drainage. Cover the drainage hole with mesh or a coffee filter to prevent soil from falling out, and fill the container with enough soil so that the top of the root ball will sit approximately one inch below the rim.
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Choosing the right soil
Soil Type
The type of soil you choose depends on the specific herbs you are growing. Different herbs have different soil requirements. For example, herbs like basil and mint prefer slightly acidic soil, while rosemary and thyme favour a slightly alkaline pH level. It is important to select a soil that is tailored to the needs of the herbs you are growing.
Soil Composition
The composition of the soil should include a well-balanced mix of essential nutrients. The soil should provide adequate drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient availability for your herbs. A recommended soil composition for raised bed herb gardening includes a blend of topsoil, compost, and peat moss. Organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, can improve soil structure and fertility while providing beneficial microorganisms for the herbs.
Drainage
Drainage is critical for the soil of transplanted herbs. Herbs are susceptible to root rot if the soil remains too wet. Therefore, it is essential to choose a soil with good drainage properties, allowing excess water to pass through and preventing waterlogged conditions. Perlite, vermiculite, and coconut coir are popular choices for drainage materials in indoor herb soils.
PH Level
Consider the pH level of the soil and select a range that is optimal for the herbs you are growing. Most herbs thrive in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. However, some herbs, like basil and mint, prefer a slightly more acidic pH, while rosemary and thyme favour a slightly more alkaline pH level.
Container Considerations
When transplanting herbs, it is recommended to use a container with drainage holes to facilitate proper water flow. Choose a container that is slightly larger than the current one to accommodate the roots and allow room for growth. Ensure the container is sturdy, especially if you plan to move your herbs indoors or outdoors depending on the season.
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Transplanting the herbs
Transplanting herbs is an important part of plant care. Whether you're moving herbs to a bigger pot or outdoors, it's important to do it right. The process is simple, but it requires a few steps to ensure success. Firstly, water the herbs a few hours before transplanting. This will dampen the soil and make it easier to remove the root ball. Carefully remove the herb from its pot. If the roots are covered in soil, gently shake them apart.
Prepare a slightly larger pot with a few inches of soil. If the new pot doesn't have a drainage hole, fill the pot with 1-2 inches of gravel. Cover the drainage hole with mesh or a coffee filter to prevent soil from falling out. Set the plant's root ball into the new pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is 1 inch below the rim. Fill the pot with soil and water the herb thoroughly.
If you're transplanting herbs that were grown in a sterile potting medium without nutrients, transplant them into well-amended soil and give them plenty of sunshine to help them thrive. Supermarket herbs, in particular, are seeded thickly and grown close together, so they will struggle if you put them straight into the ground or a larger container. If you're transplanting herbs that have already grown outdoors, wait a week after transplanting to reduce transplant shock. Start your transplanted herbs in indirect sunlight, and gradually move them into a sunnier spot.
If you're transplanting herbs indoors, it's important to check for bugs or insect eggs on the leaves, stems, and roots. Remove these before bringing the herbs inside. You can also take cuttings of herbs like basil and mint and place them in a small jar or vase of water. Once roots form, you can transplant the cutting into an indoor pot.
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Aftercare
After transplanting your herbs, it is important to care for them properly to ensure their survival. Here are some detailed aftercare instructions:
- Watering - Water your herbs thoroughly after transplanting to reduce transplant shock and help settle the soil around the roots. Keep the basil well-watered (but not water-logged) to promote healthy growth.
- Sunlight - Most herbs require full sun and well-drained soil. However, some herbs like mint and parsley thrive in shaded or partially shaded areas. Ensure that the herbs get adequate sunlight or shade according to their needs.
- Soil Preparation - Prepare the soil properly before transplanting. Most herbs prefer well-drained, slightly alkaline soil rich in organic matter. You can improve drainage by mixing in sand, perlite, or gravel. For container gardening, use good-quality potting soil.
- Temperature - Keep an eye on the temperature, especially if you are keeping the herbs indoors. Germinating seeds prefer temperatures between 60 and 75°F. For outdoor herbs, wait until all danger of frost has passed before transplanting, and choose an overcast day or the early evening for transplanting to avoid shocking the plants.
- Monitoring - Keep a close eye on your herbs after transplanting. If the plants start to wilt, mist them with water and keep them in a cool, shaded area for a day or two. Regularly check the soil moisture, as herbs need consistent watering but do not like soggy soil.
- Transplanting Again - Herbs will need to be transplanted into larger pots or outdoors as they grow bigger. Monitor the roots, and if they start poking out of the drainage hole, it's time to move them to a new pot or location.
- Hardening Off - If you are moving your herbs outdoors, gradually harden them off by slowly increasing their exposure to the outdoors over several days before permanently transplanting them.
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Frequently asked questions
You should treat herbs in a plastic sleeve as you would any other herb. Carefully take the herb out of its plastic sleeve and remove the soil from the roots. Prepare a slightly larger pot with a few inches of high-quality potting soil. Set the herb's root ball into the new pot and fill it with soil. Water the herb thoroughly.
You should transplant your herbs when they start to become unhappy in their current container. Signs of this include roots poking out of the drainage hole, leaves dropping, or the plant growing slower.
To avoid shocking your herbs, start them off in indirect sunlight and avoid direct sunlight for a few weeks. If there is no sunny spot, use a grow light. You should also mist the herbs regularly to boost humidity.
When choosing an herb to transplant, look for short, bushy plants with dark green leaves, strong white roots, and no fruit. Ensure the herb does not have wilted, curled, spotted, or yellowed leaves, as these are indicators of sickness or bug infestations.
