Ideal care for your UC Master Gardener of El Dorado County Plant Sale Purchases   

• Light  Your seedlings are partially hardened off by being outside and exposed to the sun. Continue to take them outside as long as the temperature is above 50 degrees.
• Temperature  Most warm season vegetables grow best at 55-60° at night and 65-75° during the day.
• Water  Water regularly, but do not overwater.  Allow the top of the soil to dry out.  Bottom watering is preferred by  placing the potted seedlings in a tray of water with the water level at 1" inch up the pots for 10-15 minutes.
• Fertilizer  Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer at one-half strength every other week.
• Hardening Off  For 1-2 weeks before planting in the garden, adjust your plants to the outdoors by taking them outside for gradually increasing periods of time.  Do not take them out on windy days or when the temperature is below 50°.    
• Potting up/Transplanting  If your seedlings outgrow their current pots before it is time to plant outdoors, transplant the plants into larger pots such as gallon size.  Use a commercial growing medium, not garden soil.
• When to plant seedlings in the garden  Wait to plant warm season vegetables until after your area's last frost date.  If your plants are tall and leggy, you can plant them deeper or trench them.  

Consult the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County Foothill Vegetable Planting Guide for more information on planting and harvesting dates.