Really want this transplanting tool

[carolyn137]

I've dealt with plug trays and years worth of raising my own seeds and I know this will be a bummer for many of you but what has never failed me is using a #2 pencil with a somewhat blunt tip. Or to use a narrow dibble which is what all my commercial friends use.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

I've dealt with plug trays and years worth of raising my own seeds and I know this will be a bummer for many of you but what has never failed me is using a #2 pencil with a somewhat blunt tip. Or to use a narrow dibble which is what all my commercial friends use.

I just use a table knife or pull the little devils out by their necks, never been much for gadgets.
I just use what I find around the house and yes I too have used a pencil.

Worth

[mtbigfish]

what is a dibble?

I have always used this butter knife but the one Worth1 saw is tempting - just like another book on maters can be

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by mtbigfish

what is a dibble?

I have always used this butter knife but the one Worth1 saw is tempting - just like another book on maters can be

A dibble is a spike you poke in the ground to put transplants in. they come in all sizes.

[Lomatia]

S/S spatulas that are used in labs are available at scientific supply houses. (That is what I use)

[cdbva]

Wow, I love that catalog! I want the blue hat and the garlic press and the weeding tools...

Christine

[salix]

Lomatia, I too used a lab spatula for years until I lost it during a move...

The miniature spade works really well for scooping out the seedling plug from the "72 hole" seedling trays when potting on - that's where it gets the most use - MANY hundreds of pots.

[mtbigfish]

never did see miniture spade on the site

[remy]

Originally Posted by mtbigfish

never did see miniture spade on the site

I think this is it. http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,51603&ap=2

For getting out seedlings when they come up close together and transplanting them into their own spot, I use a nut pick.
Remy

[Wi-sunflower]

For the smaller cell trays I usually use one of my plastic markers to help get them out. Slide them down the side and lever them up. I use the 4 inch size labels and buy them by the box.

Carol

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Worth1

A dibble is a spike you poke in the ground to put transplants in. they come in all sizes.

Well that's a mighty fancy dibble.

Mine are straight, I have several older wooden ones that were my fathers, but dibbles these days are made of plastic and work just as well.

I'd never use a dibble for planting anything outside, only for gently lifting plants out of plug trays or my seed pans, but for the latter the pencil works even better b'c many times I'd have to take larger seedlings first and thin out a bit to let the smaller ones develop.

[mtbigfish]

Everyone thanks for the info and link
Dennis

[Duh_Vinci]

I use #2 pencil and tea spoon for extraction, but for the most part, if I plant seeds in a small containers/cells, I use something that works for me rather well, minimal effort and minimal clean up...

I mostly start in a strips of 5 cavities (since germination of seeds could vary at times) - basil seedlings in this photos, just transplanted it tonight for the kitchen window:




I have holes in the bottom of each cavity:





I line each cavity with a small piece (cut from the styrofoam with a large hole punch from the craft store), then fill up with the seed starting mix...





When it is time to transplant, I simply stick a pen or a pencil into the bottom hole, pushing up like a piston, and entire plug comes out with as one piece:







No mess, all in one piece:




And the same thing with those square cells, works like a charm.

Regards,
D

[cottonpicker]

dmitry..... NICE photos!!!!! Happy holiday!
LarryD

[Worth1]

That’s pretty neat but for me it’s entirely too much work.
I am really rough on my seedling and have yet to kill one of them.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again tomatoes are plants not critters that bleed.

Worth