How to Fertilize Vegetable Transplants

Proper fertilization gets young vegetable plants off to a healthy start by providing them with the nutrients they need to grow and develop healthy roots and leaves. Most seed-starting mediums contain little to no nutrients so the seedlings depend upon outside fertilization until you transplant them. Applying a starter fertilizer after transplanting further encourages the seedlings to quickly establish healthy roots as they become adjusted to the garden bed and the growing conditions outdoors.

20-20-20 soluble fertilizer
8-32-16 starter fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Mix a soluble 20-20-20 blend fertilizer with water at half the recommended strength on the package. Over-fertilization can damage or kill tender vegetable seedlings.
- 2
  Water the vegetable transplants, in their pots, with the fertilizer solution beginning five to seven days after they sprout. Reapply the fertilizer every two weeks.
- 3
  Stop fertilizing the plants seven days before you transplant them into the garden bed. Use this period to harden-off the plants so they become accustomed to outdoor conditions. Set them outside in a protected area, bringing them indoors each night, for at least a week before transplanting.
- 4
  Plant the vegetable transplants in the garden, spacing them at the recommended distance for the plant variety.
- 5
  Combine an 8-32-16 starter fertilizer blend with water, following the rate recommendations on the package. Water each transplant with the starter solution immediately after planting it in the garden bed.

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