Here are some tips and suggestions for transplanting tomatoes, peppers and the "cucurbit" group which includes cucumbers, summer and winter squash, melons and pumpkins.
First, with any transplant it is best to "harden it off", which means getting it used to the bright sun and wind gradually over the course of several days. This is hard to do if have to go to work so here's a suggestion.
When the ground is warm, plant your plants, but use something to block the wind and provide some filtered sunlight. Create a cylinder of protection using milk jugs with the top and bottom cut off, or sticks or stakes with some light color cloth wrapped around, wooden shingles pushed into the soil on north, east, south, and west sides of the plant, or whatever you can create to shield the plants from the elements.
Tomatoes planted in the ground can be done two ways. The first is to dig a hole and plant the tomato straight up. The other is to dig a trench deep on one end for the root ball and angling toward the surface for the foliage. In both cases cover the root ball and most of the stem with soil as the stem has root hairs that will put out more roots. By using the trench method the roots are nearer the surface where there is warmth but the soil dries faster than if planted deep. Both methods work.
Peppers are "friendly". They like to be planted near one another or to basil. Peppers also like a 60*F night temperature.
Curcurbits from Garden Path are grown in peat pots. This is a biodegradable container and should be planted into the ground where the plant roots grow through the container. Break down the top edges of the pot and cover with about 1/2" soil. Keep soil near the plant moist until the plant is established and growing.
We hope these tips help and if you have any further questions on "how to's" please ask us when you visit.
Have a great day everyone!