Row by Row Episode 87: Transplanting Crops in the Vegetable Garden

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Transplanting Crops vs. Direct Seeding

When comes to transplanting crops and which are best for direct seeding it can vary depending on the several different plant varieties. For transplanting crops like beets you can either transplant or direct seed in the garden. Travis mentions in order to get consistently sized beets you must thin them and he prefers to do this in the greenhouse rather than on his knees inside the vegetable garden. The three other transplanting crops that are without a doubt better transplanted are broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage plants. Another crop that can be transplanted or direct seeded is cantaloupes and it is beneficial to transplant if you like in a climate where the warm growing season isn't as long. When it comes to collards you can direct seed or transplant depending on how and what variety you are planting in the garden. Another crop that can be transplanted or direct seeded is okra because it does not like cooler soils you are able to get a head start on growing if you transplant okra. When direct seeding crops such as beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, greens, peanuts, radishes, etc all do better direct seeded in the vegetable garden. The advantage of transplanting crops is you will get a head start on planting which is really effective for areas that experience really high disease or insect pressures. Another advantage of transplanting is you get a head start on the weed pressure, especially with slower germinating crops.

Transplant Crops

• Brocolli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Eggplant
• Kohlrabi
• Leeks
• Onions
• Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon

Direct Seed

• Beans
• Carrots
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Greens
• Peanuts
• Field Peas
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Summer Squash

Direct Seed + Transplant

• Beets
• Cantaloupes
• Collards
• Gourds
• English Peas
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Okra
• Pumpkins
• Rutabaga
• Winter Squash
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Travis has grown some of the Mr. Big English Pea variety for the first time in the garden. The guys address the comments about the egg in the hole feedback on last week's garden show video. Greg shows off some of his Cheers and Jersey Wakefield cabbage from the vegetable garden. Greg also has his ghost pepper seeds in the freezer so he will get a better stratification process and quicker germination when he gets ready to plant them. The guys give an update on potatoes and hope to get them in and ready to ship next week.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about rotating in a small garden, advice for growing watermelons, and amending pH for every crop. Travis mentions that can be more difficult to manage crop rotation in one small garden, however, you just have to be more mindful of what crops you are planting in the area year after year. He also mentions that it is really beneficial if you are utilizing cover crops that will help with incorporating nutrients back into the soils. Greg gives three tips for growing watermelons which is to give them plenty of room, use drip irrigation, and attract natural pollinators to the area. Greg mentions the ideal way to control your pH for planting is to plant new seeds in a new spot every year and work it into your rotation.

Product of the Week

• Cherokee Lettuce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpaX3Lp7lgM