MR,
My technique leaves most of the seedlings intact. I use a small salad fork or one of the tines of my hand spade and pop out little sections of the top of the potting mix, a crust of about 1/4" plus whatever seedlings are in that piece of crusted potting soil. Then I work from the outside in, peeling off seedlings and planting as soon as they are separated from the piece of potting soil. These are planted in rows, with the rows 3-4" apart. If the seedlings don't pull apart easily, I plant little clumps of seedlings. Disturbing them too much at this stage is sure death. Repeat this procedure until all the seedlings in the pot are transplanted.
I water the bed in which I will transplant the seedlings and then sketch out the rows, putting a very shallow furrow with the edge of my hand fork. The seedlings are placed in the row with any adhering bits of potting mix. Then the whole better is watered lightly with Quick Start and the area between the seedling rows is covered in a very light mulching of aquarium gravel, being careful not to cover any seedling. Do this on a cloudy or better yet rainy day. The seedlings won't miss a beat.
Kevin
