Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What pre-preparation actions should be completed when transplanting vegetables into the garden?

1. Pour water into the planting hole

2. Put fertilizer in the hole

3. Remove the plant from the container and break apart the roots

4. Set the plant in the hole leaving the root ball slightly exposed

The correct answer is: Pour water into the planting hole

When transplanting vegetables into the garden, it is essential to prepare the planting hole to ensure that the plants thrive in their new environment. Pouring water into the planting hole serves to both hydrate the surrounding soil and create a more inviting environment for the roots. This action helps to eliminate air pockets that can damage the roots when the plant is installed, facilitates better soil contact, and ensures that soil moisture is present right from the start, which is crucial for the plant’s successful establishment. In contrast, placing fertilizer in the hole, while it can provide nutrients, is not the primary action needed at this stage and could potentially harm the roots if the fertilizer is too concentrated. Removing the plant from the container and breaking apart the roots is sometimes necessary for certain root-bound plants, but it’s not always required and can stress the plant unnecessarily. Leaving the root ball slightly exposed might not be advisable as this can lead to desiccation of the roots and hinder the plant's ability to absorb moisture effectively. Therefore, the act of pouring water into the planting hole is a fundamental step in preparing for transplanting, promoting good root establishment and overall plant health.