Growing Tomatoes from Seed Step by Step
Growing tomatoes from seed can be extremely rewarding and is really not that difficult. You can find a large variety of tomato plant seed packets and it is fun to experiment with the different varieties you find.
Growing Tomatoes from Seed Tip #1
You should start your tomato plants indoors in early spring, about 6 to 8 weeks before planting them outdoors. Another option is to plant your tomatoes in a container that can be placed in a sunny location. Scatter your tomato seeds thinly over potting compost placed in a tray. Tomato seeds like warm conditions so you will want to keep your tray in a warm area or in a windowsill. To keep the soil in the tray from drying out place cling film over the top. Remove the film once the seedlings start to appear. Even though tomatoes like to be kept moist you have to be careful that you don’t over water the seedlings.
 Seedling Heat Mat Starter Seller: Gurney's Seed and Nursery Co.  |
Growing Tomatoes from Seed Tip #2
Tomato plants also love sunlight. If you are growing tomatoes from seed in a tray on a windowsill, make sure that you turn the tray every day or two. This will ensure that all of the plants gain access to the light and grow evenly. Tomato plants will also grow towards the light so if they are not receiving enough light, they may grow bent. Tomato plants can also grow thin and leggy if they do not receive enough light while indoors.
Growing Tomatoes from Seed Tip #3
When the tomato seedlings are about one to two inches tall it’s time to transplant them into individual containers. Carefully separate each seedling being careful not to damage the roots. You should lift the seedlings by the leaves and not the stem because they can easily get damaged at this young stage. Place the seedlings in a hole in the soil which is big enough for its roots. Back fill the hole with compost and water the seedling immediately. Press the soil lightly around the plant to insure the roots have good contact with the compost.
 Cold Set Tomato Seeds Seller: Gurney's Seed and Nursery Co. |
Keep the tomato seedlings in a sunny location and make sure you continue to turn them if the sunlight is uneven. When the seedlings have grown to be about sic to eight inched tall, you should transplant them again into larger pots. Before planting your seedlings outdoors you need to harden them off by placing the outdoors during the day. Hardening them off simply means to get them used to the outdoor temperature which is obviously harder to control then the inside temperature you were growing your seedlings at. Place seedlings outside in the sun for a few hours each day to harden them off.
 Mini Electric Greenhouse Seller: Gurney's Seed and Nursery Co. |
Growing Tomatoes from Seed Tip #4
Once the tomato plants have grown at least six leaves and the outdoor temperature has warmed enough for the seedlings to be transplanted outdoors, bury the plant leaving only the upper four leaves above ground. Since tomato plants can develop roots all along the stem, burying the stems deep into the ground will ensure that your tomato plants grow strong root systems. This will create a stronger plant that can better withstand the weight of the fruit. As the weight of the fruit brings down a weaker plant, the fruit will touch the ground and become rotten. A stronger plant means a better harvest and crop.
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