Vegetable Plug plants?

[GMB27]

Hi folks,

Im thinking of trying some new things this year but im considering using plug plants to get me started. My first question is has anybody had much experience using plug plants for a little head start in containers? Im not sure if this is technically cheating

Secondly ive found lots of sites selling plug plants but to be honest, having never purchased them before, im unsure as to which sites will be good quality. Anybody have an idea?

Any advice will be great, thanks!

[Husker]

Hi GMB27. I'm not sure if they're the same thing or not but over here I think we call them starter plants and I use them every year because I just don't have a good place to start my own seeds . I don't think it's cheating at all, just doing what we need to do to grow what we want. The seedling need to be whatered regularly, but not drowned, and it helps alot if you can protect them from any strong wind, also hold off on the fertilizer until they're established, say 3-4 weeks. Some folks will put the seedlings in a place where they only get sunshine for half the day for about a week to harden the plants off (get them use to being outside) before putting them in full sun all day. I can't really help you on where to get them. I get mine from local greenhouses that I trust. Hope this helps a little. Good luck .

[tomterm8]

No such thing as cheating in gardening

If you are going to use plugs, you have to be careful to transplant them before the soil runs out of nutrients - there isn't much soil in a plug, so it can run out in a couple of weeks.

[malcolmx]

compost for plants has 4 weeks nutrient availiable but plugs may be in the trays longer spray with a light solution of liquid fertiliser . carrot and beetroot plugs need special care not to brak the taproot or fold it up when transplanting them .i always plug lettuce brasicas carrots beetroot .spring unios do not need plugging but you can so clumps in small pots and plant uot to pick thru the season parsnips work but turnips and sweeds do not not cheating at all most commercial growers use plugs

[GMB27]

thanks for the advice, i'll be going all out this season then!

[airconednightmare]

i was always told to buy from a nursary to the north of your location, this way the plants should be used to slightly worse conditions and should do well in your garden.

[GMB27]

Originally Posted by airconednightmare

i was always told to buy from a nursary to the north of your location, this way the plants should be used to slightly worse conditions and should do well in your garden.

I hadnt thought of this but now it seems like a great idea! Thanks for the thought

[vegetable-gardener]

If you buy plug plants just make sure they are properly hardened off as if they are not they can die easily.
You can also buy lots of plants at car boot sales. And they plants are often really strong and cheaper then from nurseries.

[GMB27]

Originally Posted by vegetable-gardener

If you buy plug plants just make sure they are properly hardened off as if they are not they can die easily.
You can also buy lots of plants at car boot sales. And they plants are often really strong and cheaper then from nurseries.

Great advice thanks, ill keep my eyes peeled!

[colin1957]

Morrison's are selling a few plug plants, i think they have got Toms, lettuce, cabbage , cauliflower, and peppers .
I got 6 toms plugs £2 and 15 lettuce plugs £2, and they look in really good condition.

I have never used plug plants before but with all the building work going on at home i am a little bit late starting this year

[GMB27]

Originally Posted by colin1957

Morrison's are selling a few plug plants, i think they have got Toms, lettuce, cabbage , cauliflower, and peppers .
I got 6 toms plugs £2 and 15 lettuce plugs £2, and they look in really good condition.

I have never used plug plants before but with all the building work going on at home i am a little bit late starting this year

Cheers for this I got down just in time to snatch up the last of them! What a bargain!

[colin1957]

Originally Posted by GMB27

Cheers for this I got down just in time to snatch up the last of them! What a bargain!

Nice one,,, Mine have been potted on and are doing very well and look to be growing fast