Cheap seedling transplant tool

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GoDawgs
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Location: Zone 8a, Augusta GA

Cheap seedling transplant tool

#1

Post: # 10469Unread post GoDawgs
Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:52 pm

Here's a cheap little tool for pricking out seedlings that I read about some years ago. A lot of you old pros probably know about it but I'll post it for those who don't.

You just break off two tines from a plastic fork and it works like a charm for loosening and then lifting seedlings for transplant into a small pot.

Image

EdieJ
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Location: North AL Zone 7

Re: Cheap seedling transplant tool

#2

Post: # 10474Unread post EdieJ
Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:03 pm

I like to start seeds in egg cartons. A plastic spoon is the perfect "spade" for transplanting seedlings from the cartons to cups. I'll have to try this fork idea when transplanting from the cups!
North Central AL (mountains)
Zone 7

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AZGardener
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Location: Arizona, USA

Re: Cheap seedling transplant tool

#3

Post: # 10475Unread post AZGardener
Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:10 pm

I've seen plastic forks used to keep strawberries propped up off the ground but not for a transplanting tool. I am going to make one, it will be very handy in a few weeks. Thanks!
USDA Zone 9b, Sunset Zone 13
Average Rainfall 9.5 inches
Climate: Sonoran Desert

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ddsack
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Location: Northern MN - USA

Re: Cheap seedling transplant tool

#4

Post: # 10485Unread post ddsack
Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:17 pm

That is a great little tool! Never thought of removing the extra tines, I often save the plastic ware that comes with fast food meals for greenhouse use.

As I was reclining in the dentist's chair some years ago, I was admiring the laid out dental picks on the tray next to my head. When the technician came in, I told her I'd like to know where to buy some for working with seeds. She said they periodically throw out old ones when they start to get dull (sterilized in their autoclave) and went and got me two different shaped ones that were about at the end of their life. I love these picks for working with small seeds, burying them lightly, and also for removing aphids and scale from my plants.

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MissS
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Location: SE Wisconsin Zone 5b

Re: Cheap seedling transplant tool

#5

Post: # 10494Unread post MissS
Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:37 pm

Thanks for sharing GoDawgs it is a great tip.

ddsack I use the dental tools too. They come in handy for all sorts of things.
~ Patti ~

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guruofgardens
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Location: Colorado

Re: Cheap seedling transplant tool

#6

Post: # 10643Unread post guruofgardens
Sun Feb 16, 2020 9:29 am

Thanks for the hint and picture. I will be trying one soon on the peppers.

We use the heavy duty plastic knives for marking in the garden - making sure to label both top and bottom so when the sun erases much of the name, the bottom label stays complete.

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pepperhead212
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Re: Cheap seedling transplant tool

#7

Post: # 10727Unread post pepperhead212
Sun Feb 16, 2020 1:36 pm

I like that Idea! I use an olive fork for getting my sprouted peppers out of the vermiculite - same idea, and the two tines works great.
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b

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