Planting Tomato Seeds
Are you ready to grow tomatoes, but not sure where to start? We've got you covered! Follow these steps to successfully plant and harvest tomatoes right in the comfort of your own home or garden. Today we will cover the materials needed to get you started on your journey. Those lucky enough to have an outdoor, sunny garden can plant their tomato seeds straight into the garden. However, starting indoors 6 weeks before planting will produce an earlier harvest.
For indoor growing:
Selecting the Right Container:
Drainage holes: Choose a container with drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
Find a container that is at least 3 gallons: Ensure its large enough to accommodate the plant's root system and leaves room for growth. The recommended pot size for growing tomatoes is at least 3 gallons. At least 10-12" deep. This provides enough room for the roots to spread out and prevents overcrowding.
Selecting Soil: Use a high-quality seed starting mix or peat pellets. It should be well-draining and nutrient-rich. Do not re-use any soil. It needs to be sterilized.
Filling Your Container(s): Fill your chosen containers with the starting mix, leaving about an inch of space between the soil surface and the rim of the container.
Sowing Seeds:
With your finger or a pencil, create a hole, see the seed package for the ideal depth.
Plant 1-3 seeds per pellet or section of the tray insert or 4" container.
Cover with soil.
Watering: Seeds sprout best when in constantly moist soil. Water the soil slowly and around the seeds (not right on top) to avoid the seeds to float away.
Lighting: During sprouting, plants don’t need light. But the second the seeds sprout, and you see green, make sure that your container is in a location that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight each day, ideally more. If natural light is limited, consider supplementing with a grow light. Keep the grow light 3" above the plants so they do not get "leggy" trying to stretch towards the light.
For outdoor growing:
Selecting the Right Location: Tomatoes thrive in full sunlight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil.
Preparing the Soil: Before planting, prepare the soil by loosening it, for instance with a garden fork, to a depth of about 10-12 inches. Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris, and amend the soil with compost or aged manure to improve drainage and fertility.
Timing: Plant your tomato seeds or transplants outdoors after the danger of frost has passed in your area.
Spacing: Space your seeds according to the instructions on your seed package.
Sowing Seeds:
With your finger or a pencil, create the holes. Read the seed package for the ideal depth.
Plant 1-3 tomato seeds in each hole.
Cover with soil.
Watering: Water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Even though they say “water your plants,” water your soil and not the plant itself. Instead, water a circle around the seedling.
Water your plants deeply, meaning, give it a lot of water, and wait as long as it takes for the top inch to dry. Avoid watering your plant if the top inch of soil is still moist.
Mulching: Apply a 1-2" layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Once they’ve been planted:
Now that your tomatoes are in the ground, it's important to give them the care they need to thrive. Here are some tips for watering and caring for your plants:
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells or hot weather. Water at the base of the plants, ideally early in the morning.
Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around your green beans plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Support with a tomato cage.
Pinch off suckers: Once the plants begin to grow, suckers will appear near the stem where the leaves attach. Pinch those off to encourage better growth.
Remove dead or diseased leaves: Regularly inspect your tomatoes for dead or diseased leaves and remove them promptly to prevent the spread of disease.
Fertilizing: Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Use an organic granular fertilizer every 10 days following label directions. If using a water soluble, then feed every 2 weeks.
