How to Plant Starter Plants
If you’ve planned your garden and prepped your soil, you are finally ready learn how to plant some starter plants! First things first: purchase the starter plants that you are most excited about growing. Then, simply arrange them up where you would like to plant them. Grab a shovel and a little fertilizer, and you are on your way!
This year, I went with a few raised beds and a basic companion planting strategy. I am growing pepper varieties with onion bulbs, lettuce with tomatoes and herbs, squash and radishes, and a few berry bushes, which I have just begun harvesting.
Digging Holes
Once you know where you are planting your starts, you can begin to dig holes. Dig the height of your starter plant into the ground. You can use a petite shovel for small plants, or a larger one for bigger plants. Test your hole’s size by placing your plant in the hole and measure whether it is the right size or not and make adjustments.
You’ll want to plant each start at least 12 inches a part, so make sure to spread them out. If you’re planting a larger tree or shrub, space these out by several feet. When learning how to plant in your garden, it can be helpful to plant just one plant or one variety at a time. (If you’d rather plant seedlings, check out our guide: Which is better, seedlings or starter plants?)
Placing Your Starter Plants
Carefully prop your plant directly into the hole that you dug. Make sure that the roots have space to spread around and that the plant is facing directly upward. Sprinkle a bit of plant food into the bottom of the hole, then cover this with loose dirt. Fill the remainder of the hole with soil and pack it down with your hands. This will help hold the plant in place.
Protecting your Starter Plants
Once of the most important things you can do when learning how to plant starters, is to make sure that your plants remain upright. As they get watered and settle into the soil they might start to lean one way or another; make sure to softly straighten them out so that they grow healthy and strong root systems.
Make sure that your plants are fertilized. If you haven’t recently fertilized the soil that your plants are planted in, go ahead and add fertilizer directly into the hole with your starter plant. Read the fertilizer directions carefully as each contains specific instructions. If you’re planting trees, check out our guide on how to plant ultra-dwarf fruit trees.
Taking Care of Your Starter Plants
Water your plants once to twice a day, depending on where you live and how much sun your plants are getting. Keep an eye on the soil texture by testing a patch with your fingers. If it feels dry and crumbly, give it a little water. Pay attention to how your plants are doing, as some will require more water than others.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly your plants will shoot up and start blossoming. With just a little love, water, and sunshine, you can experience the little miracle of gatrrdening for yourself.