Are you looking for a perfect guide to start growing tomato plants from seed? Want to harvest healthy and tastier homegrown tomatoes? You are at the right place to know your answers, here is a complete guide for growing tomato plants from seeds!
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetable to be grown in our gardens and growing them from seed is the best way to save money and to control the earliest moments of your tomato plants life.
Growing Tomatoes From Seeds:
Tomatoes are not hard plants to grow from seeds, but there are few tricks to follow that help you to get better results and tastier tomatoes at the end.
There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes, so choose the one that is suitable for your climate conditions before you get ready to start them. Not all tomatoes are created equal, do a quick research before you pick among the hundreds of choices.
What Is The Right Time To Start Tomato Seeds?
Start sowing tomato seeds 4-6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. You can also start them earlier, but any less than 4 weeks and you might not have enough season to get healthy fruit off your plants.
What You Need For Growing Tomatoes From Seed:
You don’t need any special equipment to grow tomato plants from seed, but investing or getting some basic seed starting supplies might help you to see great results.
Below are few things you need for healthy tomato plants:
- Healthy seeds
- Germinating mix
- Labels
- Containers or pots
- Heat mat
- Grow light
Step By Step Process For Sprouting Tomato Seeds:
Step 1: Fill Your Container With Nutrient Rich Soil Or Germinating Mix:
Take your container or pot and fill it with germinating mix or you can also use well nutrient rich soil all the way to top.
If you’re using soilless germinating mixture, wetting it down before you fill your container ensure that you get even moisture levels.
Tap your container to make sure soil settles into all the spaces. Fill it with more soil or germ mix if needed.
Step 2: Place Seeds In The Mix:
Don’t set them too deep in to the soil or mix. If you place them too deep, they may have trouble popping out of soil.
Never crowd them. It’s okay to put multiple seeds in the container but if they’re too close, they might end up in tangling its own roots and fight for their own nutrients. If you want to keep all the seeds in one container, make sure there’s enough space to separate them later.
Now, cover them lightly with the soil and germ mix.
Step 3: Label The Container:
Giving name to your container is the best way to know when you’ve planted your seeds and when is the right time to harvest your fruit. So, make sure to put the variety name, number and date planted on the container.
Step 4: Soak Seeds With Water And Cover The Container:
Once planted, give them healthy watering. Don’t let them swim in soggy soil but make sure to maintain moisture levels.
Keeping your tray in a bag or placing a dome lid over your tray will help to keep the moisture in and slow drying.
Step 5: Set Them On Heat Mat:
The ideal temperature of soil is 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit which means you really need a heat mat for maintaining perfect temperatures for your seeds.
If you are using heat mat, get the one which has thermometer so that you can accurately control soil temperature and not burn them up.
Placing containers inside your house is probably warm enough but you can also give them extra boost by placing it on top of your refrigerator.
In cooler temperatures, germination is slower than expected and less consistent-meaning some seeds may not sprout no worries. You can see your seeds sprouting within 14-16 days after sowing.
Step 6: Arrange A Grow Light:
Tomatoes don’t need light to germinate, but hanging it on day one means once after the first seed appears. You can use a regular shop light or buy a seedling specific grow light. Hang them couple of inches above the seed tray and if you’re using bright LED grow light you don’t want them quite as close.
Caring For Tomato Seeds After They Sprout:
Sprouted tomato seedlings need water and light to grow for the next week or two. Make sure to keep them covered on heat to facilitate sprouting and water when the top of the soil feels dry. After 10 days remove the lid and pull them off the heat mat.
After two weeks of sprouting, you can transplant them in your garden or in any individual container to encourage its healthy growth.
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