The first step in growing tomatoes is always selecting they type of tomatoes to be grown. Seeds for many types can be found locations all around, from hardware stores, to garden shops to a online seed catalogs. Once the seed has been selected it is time to get started!
When to Start
About 6-8 weeks before the final frost date is expected is the best time to sow tomatoes. They start out as a fairly slow growing plant and need time to be established indoors before being transplanted outdoors. The new tomato plants should be ready to transplant 2 weeks after the last frost.
What to Use
Start with a flat seed tray with about 1 inch of high quality sterile seed mix. Using a pencil or pen dig ½ inch deep furrows in the soil that are about ½ inch apart. Drop the tomato seeds into the furrows about ½” apart.
Sowing the Seeds
Lightly dust about ¼” of seed mix on top of the seeds, making sure that all seeds are covered. Gently water the entire flat until all the soil is moist.
Place the seed flat in a warm area and cover with plastic wrap allowing about an inch above the soil to maintain moisture. The seeds will take about a 1-2 weeks to germinate. Make sure to keep the soil warm and moist during this time.
Seedling Care
Once the first seedling breaks the surface of the soil it is time to remove the plastic and provide a strong source of light. A high quality fluorescent light kept close to the top of the seedlings would work, and so would a south facing window. Now that the plastic is removed and a strong light source is in use it is even more important to maintain moisture in the soil.
Transplant the Seedlings
After about 3-4 weeks the first true leaves will start to appear. These leaves will be bigger than the cotyledon leaves (the first leaves when a seed germinates). Once these leaves appear on all seedlings it is time to transplant them into their own containers.
The new containers should be around 4” in diameter and filled with a high quality potting mix. To remove the seedling from its current flat, scoop up the soil ball beneath the seedling using an old fork. If the roots are tangled, gently tease the roots until they are free.
Prepare the soil of the new container by opening a hole deep enough to put the seedling in up to its first leaves. The young tomato plant will vigorously grow roots up its stem causing the plant to have a much healthier root system and a more vigorous plant. Water the new soil and keep the plant in the warm, well-lit area.
By the time the weather is ready for tomatoes to be transplanted outside, the plant will be quite a bit larger and ready for almost anything that the outdoors can throw at it!
