Not long ago I wrote a post entitled, Keeping track of the beans. It more-or-less showed how long it takes for green bean seeds to germinate indoors and it explained a bit of the steps I took to get everything started.
The green beans got big quickly and I decided it was time to put them in larger containers. Hopefully their new homes will be fine until I put them in the garden outside.
It was my first time transplanting green beans – or any plant for that matter – so I thought I would share what I did to get it done.
I’m still learning, so let’s hope I didn’t make too many mistakes.
Steps for transplanting green beans
Step 1 – Wait until the plants have their first true leaves
By the time the green bean plants had their first actual leaves, they also visibly looked too big for their initial containers. I assumed it was only a matter of time until they became too heavy and would topple over.
I then decided to transplant them.
It’s important to note that not all of the plants were the same size. A few were quite smaller but – maybe because of laziness – I went ahead and transplanted them too.
Step 2 – Gather containers
Since I knew the plants would eventually need to be put in larger pots, I started keeping yogurt containers once we had finished eating them. I’ve got two kids that love yogurt so I was able to collect six (650g in size) of those buckets quickly.
However, I had 9 plants in total so I went through the garage and found three empty flower pots
Step 3 – Fill a container halfway with dirt
For each plant I followed this step and the next one (Step 3 and Step 4)…
I filled the pot about halfway with the potting mix.
I poured water on the dirt until it was quite wet but not flooded.
Step 4 – Insert plant and fill in with dirt
Each plant sits in its own section of a cardboard egg tray. I used scissors to cut out each section when I was ready to transplant in their new home.
I did not remove the plant from the cardboard containers. I believe the roots will go right through them since the cardboard is already very damp and is probably going to dissolve soon (I hope).
Then I placed the plant into the pot and put in more of the potting mix. I gently patted the dirt down a little and – again – I watered the dirt until it was quite wet but not flooded.
Basically that’s all there is to it. At this time, I don’t see what more there is to do.
The transplanting results
Voila!
Here we have 8 happy green bean plants sitting in their new home, in a well-lit part of the house. Like I wrote above I’m not sure what else to do and I guess the next few days will tell me if the transplant was a success or not.
Like I was doing before, I will continue to water every two days.
BTW – If you were paying attention you will have noticed that I had started off with 9 plants. Well, I lost one…
These things are fragile
Yes, I lost one of the green bean plants. While I was cutting the plant out of the cardboard tray, its top leaf got snagged in the leaves of a bigger plant and before I realized anything was happening the stem snapped in half.
Lesson learned! These plants are very fragile. I was extra careful from that point on.
Sadly, Gerard did not make it home.
Conclusion
Transplanting green bean plants from their starter containers to larger pots is not very difficult. That said, I am still learning and this was my first attempt. Time will tell if they live to make it to the garden.
In any case all you need to do is:
1 – Wait until the plants have leaves (or are too big for their initial containers
2 – Gather the empty pots, potting mix (dirt) and tools you’ll need to transplant
3 – For each plant, fill a pot halfway with the dirt and add water until wet but not flooded
4 – Gently cut out a plant from the cardboard tray and place it into the pot, put in more dirt, pat down a bit and water the dirt until it’s wet but not flooded.
Caution: These plants are quite fragile and can easily break. Be careful and gentle when you handle them.
Next time I transplant them will be when they get relocated to their permanent home in the garden. The climate is cold where I am, so that won’t be happening for another month and a half.
Anyway, that’s all I have for you today. Hopefully this information will be helpful to someone out there.
Wow cool
Good thing you have kids who love yoghurt,i would have minded being the one to take an extra 3 to make it 9 next time
Lol
Nice work
LOL - I'll let you know next time!
Green beans hate transplanted and are usually sown direct about 10 days before last frost. I am in Zone 4a and have done this very successfully for many years. It reduces the stress on the plants and they produce much better.
Thanks for the information goldenoakfarm!
I appreciate any advice experienced people send my way because I am a total beginner. I'll remember for next year. I'm in zone 5a, so if you can do it I guess I can too.
So far the green beans seem to be doing ok in their new containers. Fingers crossed!
@tipu curate
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