Sqft Gardening w Transplants

Hey y’all. I just finished my raised beds yesterday, two 4x20 beds, and I’m thinking I’m a little late to start planting too much from seed so I was considering going with about half transplants this season. I had a quick, probably dumb question about finding the appropriate amounts of plants I need though.

I’ve used GrowVeg.com to help me set up my garden on what goes where and it’s been super helpful in how many plants can go in each sqft but the question I have is when you purchase a plant from a nursery or big box store, is that considered one plant??? So for example, if I can plant four collard greens in one sqft, does that mean I would purchase four individual plants?

Any advice on planting this time a year would be greatly appreciated also! I’m in Tennessee, zone 7. Thank you!!

Thompkinz, Welcome to the Forum from central California! Yes, if the guidelines say you can plant 4/square, then you would buy 4 plants. Buying 6-packs can cut the cost down. Just make sure that only one plant per cell is planted and allowed to grow, no twins, triplets, etc. Often there are several seeds sowed in each cell.

I hope someone from your area chimes in. You should be able to grow quick plants like radishes, carrots, leaf lettuce, kale. With freeze protection you may be able to extend the growing season to year around. I took a look at the average winter lows throughout Tennessee and they are pretty good for winter growing. Plants I have found that don't need protection down to 28*F are broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Swiss chard, snow peas, lettuce, carrots, and radishes. I have semi-permanent frames over my beds and pre-cut and labeled pieces of 4 mil clear plastic in the event of a hard freeze.

Thom, from Redding, CA. Your beds sound amazing. I don't think it's too late to plant cool weather crops from seed in your zone -- kale, radishes, lettuce, etc. If you still want summer crops, you should buy nice, large nursery stock if you can find it this time of year. (Around here "they" think we only garden in the spring.  )

My answer to your question is: 1 stem, 1 plant. If you're careful, that might be more than 1 per pot. Many times, if you look closely, you'll find 2 or 3 stems in a store-bought container. Separating them when you get home can be a challenge, and some plants don't like to be messed with, but it's all part of the adventure. I've had more failures than successes, but it's well worth it.

Please post pictures if you can. We love photos -- before, during, & after.

Welcome aboard from SW, Ohio, Thompkinz! We're about 300 miles due north of you, but we are putting out transplants of things like Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli.  We are also direct seeding things like Beets, Carrots, Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, and Radishes - these are all cool weather crops, and thrive at this time of the year.  If you can find transplants for the brassicas, don't hesitate to plant them since they have plenty of time to mature.  But, at the same time, don't hesitate to do some direct seeding of things like Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, etc.

And, don't forget that we love to see pictures of your progress.

Yes, we love photos.

Hi Thompkinz. I'm Marie, your Regional Host. Welcome to the best forum on the web!!

I use gardenate.com for many of the SE Region monthly updates. It uses your zip code to give you updated info. And I love GardenVeg!

I have found that many of the big box plants have WAY more than 1 plant in each little square. I once got something like 15 watermelons transplants in one 4" container. You have to tease them apart (Carefully!) or trim out the weakest. So, in answer to your question, check to see how many plants are actually in that container. You may just need to purchase one container. If you see multiple stems, you have multiple plants. :-) And less you have to spend!

Thompkinz  
from Kelejan in British Columbia  

Just like to Welcome you even though I am nowhere near you.