Handling young plants
Just before planting, water the plants in their boxes. Plants in peat pots should be soaked for 10-15 minutes to ensure that they are wet. Imaginarily, the garden bed should be moist, too. If the soil is dry, do not forget to water the plants thoroughly, immediately after planting.
When planting time has come, mark the beds based on specified planting distance. Young plants in 2-3 inch containers are generally placed on 4-8 inch centers. Huge packs and 4-inch nursery transplants are more often planted on 12-14 inch centers. The area selected will be determined by species, plant size, time of year and cost.
Lift plants from their packs, pots or boxes carefully, keeping the root ball entire. If the container is plastic, gently squeeze or push up the bottom of the container; or just turn it upside down to let the plant fall into your hand. If the plant does not slide out, tap the bottom of the box with a trowel. Moist plants are easier to remove from a container without disturbing the root ball.
For plants in individual peat pots, check that the top of the pot is below soil level after planting. The edge of the peat pot can be torn off but do not remove the entire peat pot either roots can be damaged.