FredL

Hey, Mercurythought, what does Nike advise in this sort of situation? "Just do it", as I recall.

Seriously, transplanting seedlings is really quite simple. At this stage, although they look VERY fragile, they are actually quite resilliant and it is a real good time, probably the best you'll ever see, to cut their tap roots back.

If there's a secret to it, it is KEEP THEM WET. Don't let them dry out during the process. Do the job on a rainy day or at least on a cool, humid one. Put them in a container of water as you collect them and dunk them all the way under. Water profusely as you plant them or immediately after. Once they are planted, you can use reasonable judgement on avoiding overwatering, but while you are doing it, keep them wet.

As a lad growing up in Delaware, I used to help the local truck farmers plant celery, cabbage and other seedlings. Tough, tough work. I remember they would trim the roots and tops as they'd dig up the young plants, then drop them into a big trough of water before taking them out to the field for planting. Left an indelible impression on me. Planting any other sort of seedlings works pretty much the same way.

Fred