Plugs Are Small Plants - An Activity To Transplant Herbs

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Plugs are small plants that develop from seeds. Learning how to take these small plants and transplant them into a different or larger pot is a great lesson plan or activity. This project can be done at home with the entire family, or it can be as an indoor classroom activity. I wanted to share with you some very simple steps involved in transplanting these seedlings into their second stage of development. This project with a little creativity, can also make a wonderful present for a birthday, Valentine's, Mother's day, or any special occasion.

In the school and home project of watching seeds grow into plugs, there are some examples of how to start the process of germination. The trays in that page will also work with the containers I used below. If you haven't looked at the page growing herb from seeds, feel free to read through the process in the spices and herb section. Germination is the first step, followed by transplanting the plugs into other pots. This activity is great to do with a group of students and another great hands of learning experience. Lets walk through the simple steps in transplanting a small herb plant.

One of the aspects I like about doing this activity is you can use inexpensive materials. The tray you see is the bottom of a tray used for seed germination. This is a picture of dry potting soil. Have the children or family members pour the light weight potting soil into the tray. The watering can is a good way to transport your water. Continue to use hot water in the plug phase, as the hot water will help the root system mature.

This is a picture of the soil wet. Have the children or persons mix the soil with their hands. A light weight potting soil is axactly what it says, very light to touch and has a soft texture.



Here are seven small herb plants. You can also think about germinating some annual or perennial flowers, instead of herbs. The entire process is the same.



A clay pot will work well as will any other type of container. Always make sure there is a hole at the bottom of the pot. If there isn't a hole, the roots could rot in the container. You can also use a larger pot. I used this size container as I am doing a garden presentation in the near future on herb container gardens.

The example is a small Basil plant. These seeds have been germinating for a little over a month, and as you can tell, have developed into a healthy small plug.




Take the container and turn the plant on its side. This makes it easy to get the small roots out without damaging them. Use your fingers and gently remove the entire plant out of the container. Be careful as the roots are still tiny. It is normal for some of the dirt to fall off from around the root system.



As you can see, the dirt does look loose, but I can tell the small roots are ready to continue to grow. A good way to tell if your roots are ready, is if you begin to see them coming out of the bottom of the plug container. This is also a sign if you are buying plants, that the plant may have been in the container too long.



Fill the warm soil almost up to the top of the pot. Take your fingers and scoop some dirt out of the center. You will know how much dirt to take out as your plant is already out of the old pot and laying on its side.

The Basil is now in its new pot. Don't pack the soil tight against the plant.



Here are the seven herb plants planted in their new containers. They were put on a seven tier candle holder and a great decoration for an inside window, a classroom counter, patio, porch, deck or balcony. You can get creative and find other items or furniture to set your herbs. Consider doing a plant per student or family member.

The herbs I used were some basic culinary herbs. Here is a close up photo of some easy herbs to grow. Taking an herb or any plant plug and transplanting them for the first time, is a great educational lesson for a student, child and an adult. This activity is easy to do. This activity is a great way to give any age group the opportunity to do a hands one learning project, as well as gaining knowledge of plant specimens.