Allotments 4 All

any good tips for getting them out without the root ball falling apart?

I use a tiny cutlery fork

i give them all a gentle little squease around the mod and push my pinky up  the  :-[hole under neath

Make sure compost is moist, not dry or soaking wet. But one of the reasons I tend to grow in small individual pots, round or square.

Yup. Moisture content is the key. Also, squeezing slightly on the two diagonals of the module helps to release the contents. But 'me too' on small pots. I've ditched the cheap vacuum-formed modules, and now use little 2" pots which are far easier to get plants out of.

Thanks Folks, yes its the cheap plastic ones. I have thought about usin the small peat pots for next year but i will give the fork a go.

I prefer yughurt pots but the sort my OH likes to eat changed their shape and they no longer stack so the sides are parallel.  Much better in a slightly tapering pot.

those super cheap green module packs last for years if you're careful, and when modules in the strip start cracking you can cut some good ones out and pop them in to repair it

I actually find it's harder to get for instance broad beans out of those plastic cups. They seem perfectly smooth but the roots must find some tiny cracks to grow into

Thought it was just me who couldn't get plants out of modules - so frustrating when you ruin them after all that effort. Have changed to slightly larger ones now - 24 to a tray and cut them into strips of 6, made it easier to press out plants as you're not wrestling with a tray full.

I use a baby spoon and scoop them out

I re used some polystyrene ones now they are impossible.   Plastic cups are easy, you simply press the plant gently all round and then it just comes straight out of the cup. 

I stick an old pencil up through the hole in the bottom of the module. The compost does need to be just damp enough, though, as has already been said.

:)

we slide a teaspoon down opposite sides and give a gentle squeeze .....  seems to work OK :)

1. Water modules well before starting anything. Remember to put fine rose on watering can just as the coarse one falls onto precious plants and flattens a few. Curse roundly.

2. Attempt to prise plants out of modules by pressing the bases first. Squash several slugs and snails in the process as they have hidden underneath...you wondered what was nibbling at your precious plants! Wipe fingers and curse roundly again.

3. Gently squeeze the sides of the module to encourage the plants out.....if no success, squeeze a bit harder...several will now fly out and break up on the floor, showering you with dirt. Curse roundly again.

4. Gently bang the container on the side of something hard...NOT your greenhouse door, glass now cracked, more cursing.

5. Losing the plot now, smash modules on floor, half of plants now fall out but leave their roots in the modules...more cursing.

6. Use fingers to try and prise the last few stubborn plants that have survived all the previous methods out with fingers/spoon/knife....shred fingernails, all other plants will just rip out in pieces...lose temper entirely and entertain neighbours with hissy fit.

7. Resolve to buy all plants in next year or sow direct...go and lie in darkened room with gin bottle.

8. Conveniently suffer alcoholic amnesia and do it all again next year...sigh!  ;D ;D

Sorry I missed this one earlier.

Cut old onion net/sacks into strips the width of the bottom of your modules and push the strip into each row of modules before putting the compost in.

Don't make it too tight - you should be able to push a pencil through where the net comes up from each module and down into the next.

When the plants are established use some fairly long slim scissors to cut the bit between each module - you should be able to grab the ends of the net and lift each plant out safely.

Plant it with the net still on - it won't interfere with the roots.

This technique is most useful with plants that don't make a strong rootball (like 4 onion seeds to a module) and for plants you might want to pot on before they have developed a big rootball - like peppers.

Cheers.

You answer was a lot more sensible! ;D

 ..... but yours more entertaining (and familiar).

Good trick with the strips tho'