Going Outside
When the seedlings have formed their second set of leaves, they're ready to transplant to individual containers. Don't delay too long in transplanting the seedlings or you will find yourself ripping tangled roots.

To transplant seedlings, carefully lift plants, loosening the soil from around their roots with a sharpened pencil. Replant them in moist, all-purpose potting soil at the same depth they grew before or slightly deeper.

Tender babies won't tolerate frost, so wait until winter is gone for good before setting your transplants out in the garden. Gradually acclimate your seedlings to outdoor weather over a period of two or three weeks, in a protected location for an hour or two a day. Any spot protected from wind and strong sunlight will do. Gradually increase the amount of time the seedlings spend outdoors and their exposure to sunlight.

Tips for Landscaping with Containers
Don't let lack of space cramp your landscaping style. (Also, don't look at *my* garden - it's nothing if not raggedy and disorganized!) Container plantings bring color, fragrance, texture, height, and depth to a modest-size porch, deck, or balcony. Pots of herbs, vegetables, fruiting vines, and edible annuals add even more! More and more seed companies are offering little vegetables bred specifically for growing in pots! Check seed catalogs or your local nursery for availability.

Vary Plant Heights to Make Use of
Tight Spaces
Let vines crawl along a railing, post, or trellis. Use tall plants to increase shade and privacy. Place small pots atop a railing, step, or windowsill.

Vary Pot Size, Shape, and Color
Besides terra-cotta, look at lightweight plastic, wood, metal, or even wicker (lined with plastic). Almost anything can be a planter. Just make sure it has holes for drainage.