Often, the best selection of bedding plants [1] from the local garden center is early in the season. Whether they be flowers or vegetables, the weather conditions in early May are much too unpredictable to set most of these plants out into the garden. Additionally, many of these plants have been started early and can be quite root bound. Another two to four weeks of confined growth will definitely subject these plants to a great deal of stress.

To solve this problem, consider repotting these plants into the next larger size container. Just pop the plant out of the cell pack, and replant into a three or four inch pot [2]. Purchased plants treated this way will have a larger, healthier, and much stronger root system, and will take off much faster when finally set out into the garden after all signs of damaging weather have past. Be sure to harden the plants as usual before setting them permanently into the garden.