Pricking off secret?

What's the secret to pricking off seedlings?

I pricked off some Kale seedling a few days ago and MOST have died! 

Where did I go wrong, they were at the two leaf stage and big enough to handle, so I thought I could move them on.

I was ever so gentle, holding only the leaf so I wouldn't crush/damage the stem, I didn't firm them too hard either so I didn't damage the tap root etc.

Er, help... please.... 

I do the same as DD - get some different sized cell trays and use the most appropriate ones - then when/if you need to pot on they are so much easier to do so.

Had they got their first true leaves - the first set that come after the seed leaves?

Had they got their first true leaves - the first set that come after the seed leaves?

Uh Oh.  ............

Learned something new I guess. 

if you have digged the soil before or not long before planting (pricking out), you need to find a way to firm the soil surrounding the new plants. or it will leave air bubbles around the young roots, which cause their death.

I usually water the roots while adding soil back into the hole, this will help softening the soil and liqudising the soil, so leaving not air bubbles near roots.

it works well for me.

I think we all have.... 30-soemthnig years of trying adn it's still hit and miss for me.... which is why I use modules for nearly everything....even carrots (stick a toilet roll tube in each cell of a 24-cell tray.... easy)

chrisc