Beginner Gardening: When is a seedling no longer a seedling?, 1 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
Hey, Jess!
Welcome to the garden! It's an interesting question you pose, and I'll throw my two cents at 'yah, based on my own experience, only.

According to my timeframe:
When I've started seeds and they pop out as wee babes, they're seedlings.
When they've got two true leaves and get potted up, they're seedlings.
When I shove them under the lights for 12-14 hrs/day, they're seedlings.
When they start to fatten up and get to be about 6-10" tall, they're seedlings.
When I put 'em outside to harden off, they're seedlings.
When I get my eBuckets and EBs ready to receive them, they're seedlings.
When I take orders from my friends and co-workers, I refer to them as seedlings.
When I plant them into the garden, or give them away for planting out into other gardens, and they still need "babying" they're still seedlings.

But, when they get to be about 12" tall, and I'm thoroughly confident they can face the wind, the rain, and the sun on their own, they are tomato PLANTS!

That's just my take on it.

Linda ^^

This message was edited May 3, 2011 9:26 AM