How to Transplant Flower Plugs

Harden off the plugs before planting. Since they have been pampered in a greenhouse and then generally placed under shade cloth at the nursery, they need time to become accustomed to a new, sunnier environment. Place the plug pack in direct sun for two hours the first day and increase the time daily for one week. Keep the soil moist during this period.

Cultivate the garden bed thoroughly to remove weeds, turf, roots and rocks. Use a spade or shovel to dig deeply and crush large, hard clods of soil.

Amend the soil if you have poor drainage and to add nutrients. To make clay soil drain better, add a 3-inch layer of small bark chips, chunky compost or coarse sand. Sandy soil requires at least 3 inches of compost.

Prepare planting holes the same depth as the plug tray and twice the diameter.

Remove the plugs from the cells and plant them one at a time to avoid the roots drying out. If the plug is stuck in the cell, lightly squeeze the bottom of the cell to push the plug up and out of it.

Loosen the outside of the rootball gently with your fingers and place it in the hole. Fill the hole with soil. After planting all the plugs, water the bed to a depth of 10 inches and keep the soil slightly moist while the flowers become established.