How to Safely Transplant Your Egg Plants

Introduction

I moved into a new house and had to transplant some of my plants. I learned a lot about how to do it safely, so here you go!

Wait to transplant until all danger of frost has past and the soil is warm.

Eggplant seeds should be planted in the spring, when the soil has had a chance to warm. You should not transplant eggplants until all danger of frost has past, or else they will not survive.

Prepare the soil by adding organic matter and working the soil with a shovel to loosen it up.

  • Add organic matter to the soil.
  • Work the soil with a shovel to loosen it up.
  • Add a layer of mulch to help keep the soil moist.

Water the plants thoroughly before digging them up.

Water the plants thoroughly before digging them up. Watering the plants thoroughly before digging them up helps to soften the soil, loosen it, and make it more workable.

When you dig your eggplants, make sure that you don’t damage or break the roots or stems of your plant during transplanting.

Place a small shovel in the soil about 6 inches away from the base of an eggplant seedling. Lean it against the seedling, then press down on it, cutting through the roots about two inches below the soil surface and severing them from the plant.

  • Place a small shovel in the soil about 6 inches away from the base of an eggplant seedling.
  • Lean it against the seedling, then press down on it, cutting through the roots about two inches below the soil surface and severing them from the plant.
  • Do not damage either the roots or stem by pulling too hard on them as you remove them; this can result in damage to these parts of your plant and make it harder for them to heal while they are transplanted.

Lay out a garden hose or other line to mark a straight row for your plants.

Lay out a garden hose or other line to mark a straight row for your plants. Make sure it is straight and level.

The plants need to be spaced far enough apart that they will have room to grow without crowding each other. You’ll want them at least 12″ apart, but if you’re planting in rows it’s best if they are as far apart as possible so that you can easily get around them when harvesting or weeding between the rows.

Dig holes for each plant that are twice as wide but only as deep as their root balls. Remove old plant remains, rocks, or other obstructions from previous plants that may have been growing there if necessary.

  • Dig holes for each plant that are twice as wide but only as deep as their root balls. Remove old plant remains, rocks, or other obstructions from previous plants that may have been growing there if necessary.
  • Place the eggplants in their new planting areas and gently firm soil around them; water well until established.

Remove each plant from its container gently, being careful not to damage the roots. If your plants are still in biodegradable pots, remove and discard any labels, then place pot and all in each hole. If they are not in biodegradable pots, remove them gently without damaging their roots.

  • Remove each plant from its container gently, being careful not to damage the roots.
  • If your plants are still in biodegradable pots, remove and discard any labels, then place pot and all in each hole. If they are not in biodegradable pots, remove them gently without damaging their roots.

Carefully place each plant into its new hole, making sure to keep the surface of the soil even with the top of each transplant’s root ball.

Carefully place each plant into its new hole, making sure to keep the surface of the soil even with the top of each transplant’s root ball. This will help prevent your plant from suffering shock and possible death as a result of too much or too little water after planting. After you’ve placed all of your plants in their new homes, it’s time to get them watered.

Watering eggplant transplants:

  • Water thoroughly until water drains out the bottom of each hole. Do this every day for one week after transplanting—even if it rains! After that point, continue watering every other day until you can tell that your eggplants are established in their new locations (this will take about six weeks). Make sure not to overwater; eggplants don’t like having wet feet! Be sure they’re getting enough light while they’re establishing themselves; eggplants are very sensitive when they first start growing at a new location (but if you live in an area where temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit [10 Celsius], protect these plants from frost by covering them with burlap or clear plastic during cold winter nights).

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully planted your eggplants. This method is a little different than some other transplanting methods, but it’s important that you start the process in the right way. If you want to read more about this topic, feel free to check out some of our other posts on gardening and growing vegetables!

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