The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes from Seed
If you’re looking to grow tasty, homegrown tomatoes this season but aren’t sure where to start, then this article will walk you through the entire process of growing tomatoes from seed. By the end, you’ll know everything you need to begin your tomato growing journey!
Deciding What Varieties to Grow
The first step is choosing which tomato varieties you want to plant. There are so many options to pick from! Some popular choices for beginners include ‘Early Girl’ tomatoes, which fruit early in the season, and ‘Beefsteak’ tomatoes, which produce large, meaty fruits. Heirloom varieties can provide interesting flavors but may have smaller yields. You’ll also want to consider determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes – determinate varieties are bush-like and produce all their fruit at once, while indeterminate varieties vine indefinitely and produce over a longer period.
From my experience, starting with determinate tomatoes is easier for new growers since they require less staking and pruning. But feel free to mix it up and try both! Reading seed catalogs and online reviews can help you narrow it down based on your garden conditions and taste preferences.
Getting Your Seeds and Starting Indoors
Now it’s time to buy seeds. You can find them at your local garden center or order online. Make sure to purchase seeds specifically labeled for this growing season, as seeds only stay viable for planting for 1-2 years. I like to start my tomatoes indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date to get a head start on the season.
- Fill seed starting trays or modular plug trays with a sterile seed starting mix.
- Following instructions on the seed packet, plant one seed per cell about 1/4 inch deep.
- Water gently and place the tray in a warm, sunny location like a south-facing windowsill.
- Keep the soil moist and seeds should sprout within 7-10 days.
Maintaining even moisture and warm temperatures of at least 70°F will help seeds germinate quickly and evenly. Once sprouted, move seedlings to a slightly cooler spot with indirect light such as an east-facing window.
Care of Young Seedlings
Seedlings will need regular care and attention as they grow. I’ve faced situations where neglecting this step caused plants to become leggy and unhealthy. Be sure to:
- Water when the top 1/2 inch of soil is dry, but do not overwater.
- Rotate the tray periodically so all sides receive equal light exposure.
- Fertilize weekly with a half-strength organic starter fertilizer like fish emulsion.
- Harden off plants gradually before planting outdoors by exposing them to short periods of cooler temps.
Following these basic practices helps develop sturdy, stocky transplants ready to take on the garden.
Transplanting and Garden Preparation
Around 4-6 weeks after seeding, when evenings are reliably above 50°F, it’s time to harden off seedlings fully and transplant them outside. Before doing so, make sure your garden bed is prepped.
- Test your soil – many soils need amendments to provide ideal conditions.
- Till or dig in 2-3 inches of compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil.
- Lay down weed barrier if desired before planting to suppress weeds.
- Space plants 1-2 feet apart in rows at least 3 feet apart, depending on variety.
Water transplants in well after planting. Provide support for vines too – I like using bamboo stakes for a natural look.
Ongoing Garden Care
Regular maintenance is important once tomatoes are in the ground to maximize yields. Here are some tips:
- Water deeply 1-2 times per week, unless rainfall is sufficient.
- Mulch around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent soilborne diseases.
- Fertilize monthly through flowering and fruiting with an all-purpose organic fertilizer like compost tea.
- Prune suckers (the growth in leaf joints) on indeterminate varieties to focus energy on fruits.
- Stake or cage vines for support as they grow to prevent fruits from touching soil.
- Hand-pollinate if conditions are not ideal for pollinators to increase fruit set.
- Watch for pests and diseases and respond quickly with organic remedies.
With regular care, your tomato plants should flourish and produce abundant, flavorful tomatoes all season long. Enjoy the harvest!
Dealing with Common Problems
No garden is completely problem-free, so it helps to familiarize yourself with potential issues tomatoes may face and solutions.
Pests
Common pests include hornworms (hand-pick and destroy), aphids (spray with water or insecticidal soap), and Colorado potato beetles (hand-pick eggs and larvae). Beneficial insects like ladybugs can help keep pests under control when encouraged in the garden.
Diseases
Late blight is a fungus that thrives in moist conditions. Improving air circulation, practicing good sanitation, and using compost tea or copper spray can help prevent its spread. Leaf spots also occur – simply prune and dispose of affected foliage.
Weather Problems
Too much rain can cause blossom end rot, a calcium deficiency. Provide mulch and spray compost tea to prevent it. In drought, water deeply and infrequently. In a mild frost, cover plants; in hard frost, end the season early.
Being proactive and responding quickly gives your tomatoes the best chance when situations arise. With care and experience, you’ll become a seasoned tomato grower in no time!
Harvesting and Using Your Bounty
Tomatoes are ready to harvest when slightly firm but fully colored. Snip or twist fruits from the vine. Store on the counter or in the fridge. Enjoy fresh in salads, sandwiches, or sauces. You can also preserve your haul by canning, freezing, or drying tomatoes.
Sharing the harvest with friends and family is incredibly rewarding, as is reminiscing about your journey growing tomatoes from seed throughout the season. With any luck, this will be the beginning of a new annual tradition! Thanks for reading – now get growing!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any other tomato growing questions. I’d be happy to share more tips based on my own experiences in the garden. Growing your own food is an amazing way to connect with nature. Wishing you the best of luck with your tomato seeds!
Growing Tomatoes from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select seeds and start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date |
| 2 | Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in pots or seed starting tray filled with seed starter mix |
| 3 | Keep soil moist and provide warmth – germination takes 7-10 days |
| 4 | Move seedlings to larger pots or containers when they have 2 sets of true leaves |
| 5 | Harden off seedlings for a week before transplanting outside after last frost date |
| 6 | Plant seedlings in garden 1-2 feet apart, water deeply and provide support as they grow |
| 7 | Prune suckers and side shoots to encourage airflow and sunlight to reach tomatoes |
| 8 | Harvest tomatoes when fully ripe for best flavor |
FAQ
-
What is the best time to start tomato seeds?
You can basically plant tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date for your area. This usually works out to be sometime in late winter or early spring. Starting them inside gives the seeds a head start before putting them outside once the threat of frost has passed.
-
How deep should I plant tomato seeds?
Tomato seeds need to go about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in soil. Burying them too deep can prevent them from sprouting. On the flip side, if the seeds are not covered at all, they may dry out before germinating. A depth of around 1/3 inch is generally good. Does that help give you a ballpark for planting depth?
-
What soil is best for growing tomatoes from seed?
You’ll want to use a seed starting mix or some kind of potting soil when growing tomatoes from seeds indoors. These soils are lightweight and drain well to prevent overwatering. Once the seedlings are transplanted outside, the best soils for tomatoes are those that are rich, loose, and drain well – such as compost or a garden loam. Stay away from heavy clay soils if possible.
-
How do I know when it’s time to transplant tomato seedlings?
Typically, tomato seedlings are ready for transplanting outdoors once they have their second set of true leaves. This usually happens around 4 to 6 weeks after germination. The plants should also be at least 5 to 6 inches tall by then. Another sign is when the roots have filled the individual seed starting containers – busting out the bottom! Hardened off plants will have a better chance of surviving transplant shock.
-
What should I do if tomato seedlings get leggy?
If tomato seedlings start to stretch and become “leggy” with long stems and spindly growth, they are probably not getting enough light. To prevent this, make sure seedlings receive at least 6 hours of bright sunlight per day – perhaps supplement with grow lights if windowsill space is limited. You can also prune leggy seedlings by cutting the stem back to encourage bushier growth. Give the plant time to recover before expected frost dates.
Growing tomatoes from seed takes some patience but it can be very rewarding. However, starting with nursery transplants is basically easier if you’re short on time. At the same time, growing from seed gives you more tomato varieties to choose from. Whichever method works best for you and your space! Feel free to ask if you have any other tomato gardening questions.
