Transplants are usually used to establish a uniform and complete stand of plants. Healthy seedlings will be disease-free, vigorous, and sturdy. Transplant production requires approximately 5 weeks.

Transplants grown in cells or containers are ideal because they allow field planting without disturbing the root system. Plug trays or containers are filled with a sowing medium such as peat moss, commercial potting soil, or a potting mix prepared from a combination of soil, compost, rice hulls, vermiculite, peat moss and sand. Sterilize the soil mixture by autoclaving, steam sterilization, or baking at 150°C for 2 hours. Fertilize seeds weekly after 2 weeks, preferably with a water-soluble fertilizer solution.