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get flower and vegetable transplants off to a good start

ach year during planting season as I hold a young, tender transplant in one hand and a clump of our heavy, rocky clay soil in the other, I am overcome by a sense of pure wonderment that something so fragile can survive, yea thrive, in such seemingly unfriendly surroundings.

The secret to growing plants that will thrive even when the clay turns to something akin to an adobe brick under our July sun is to provide the proper environment when they are transplanted.

On a recent visit to a local nursery, I overheard a woman asking a worker there why her flower transplants kept fading over no matter how much she watered them. I asked the frustrated gardener if she had left the roots all nicely balled up in the clump of soil in which they came in the plastic pots. "Oh, yes," she replied, "I didn't touch the roots!"

"Your plants' roots are growing around in a little circle and can't reach out to get the moisture and nutrients available in the soil," I explained. Then I guided her through the easy steps to transplanting in heavy clay that my Cherokee grandmother taught me as her mother had taught her.

Step 1 - Free the roots on transplants. Put several inches of lukewarm water in a bucket and place the plant roots in the water to soak for at least 15 minutes. (To remove from pots, lightly secure the plants between your middle and index fingers as you turn over the pot with the other hand. If the plants are very root bound, it might be necessary to cut the pot away from the roots. Clipping the ends of these roots will not harm the plants.) While soaking, gently splash the roots about in the water to loosen and remove all the soil from them. Do not be afraid to touch the roots!

Step 2 - Prepare the soil by making small diameter holes deep enough to accomodate the roots without their crumpling. Historically, a "peg," a carved wooden stake has been used for this task. However, a long-handled bulb transplanter will work wonderfully and you won't even have to bend over to make the holes! Do not make larger holes with a shovel. This disturbs too much soil and the idea is to get the soil to "heal" and settle around the roots as quickly as possible.

Step 3 - Fill the holes with water. Allow several minutes for the water to soak in, then fill the holes again.

Step 4 - Place loose roots of transplants into water-filled holes. Holding plant in place with one hand so that the roots are below ground level and the stem above, fill in the hole with soil. If the soil is wet, this will be like making mud pies. Have a big time! Enjoy it! Gently, but firmly, pat down soil all around the plant. Making a small "well" in the soil just around the stem will be very helpful for holding water should irrigation be necessary in the dry summer months. (Say "loose roots" ten times in a row.)

Step 5 - Water, water, water! Then water some more. After a few days when the plant has had a chance to settle into its new surroundings, cut back on watering to force the roots to reach out and grow to find more moisture and nutrients. A strong, free, well-watered root system that does not have to struggle to survive in its infancy will give your plant a healthy foundation that will allow it to thrive and produce in harsh summer conditions.