Starting Tomato Plants from Seed

With the economy on the fritz and with the planting season here, many people are looking for ways to grow their own food. Starting your tomato plant from seed indoors and then moving them outside to a garden or a container can be a fun and rewarding activity.

Picking The Type

Most people are too busy to deal with specialty or heirloom products. They just want a good old-fashioned tomato that will grow with little hassle. A little research can uncover which tomato type works best for each individual. When looking through a seed catalog, it is important to note the following:

• if in a hot or cool climate, look for plants that are tolerant to these conditions
• look for plants that are disease resistant
• if planning to save the seed for next year, look for non-hybrid or hierloom varieties
• many people choose to purchase organic seeds, which are clearly marked in catalogs and on websites

Generally, seed suppliers give the basic information on each type, including whether they hold up well to storage, if they are particularly conducive to cooking with or eating fresh, and how long they will bear fruit.

Starting the Seeds

About 6 to 8 weeks before putting the tomato seedlings outside, they will need to be started indoors. Many people use seed starting kits. These can be expensive but help regulate moisture and temperature. Peat pots are a cheaper solution.

To Plant:

1. Fill each pot 3/4 of the way full with seed starter.
2. Use the instructions on the seed pack for depth of planting.
3. Keep the soil moist. It is important to use rain water or water that has been left out for a few days. This weakens the chemicals in the water that can hurt the plant.
4. Keep light on the plant as much as possible. Using a desk lamp with an adjustable neck is ideal, as it can be bent close to the plants, helping them develop shorter, sturdy stems. It the light is far away, they may develop long, spindly stems as they reach for the light.

Moving the Seedlings Outside

In 6 to 8 weeks, there should be full size seedling ready for planting in a ground or container garden. For the 2 weeks leading up to transplant, the plants should be “hardened off,” or taken outside during daylight hours and sat in the shade to help them adjust to the outside world.

To Transplant:

1. Dig a hole deep enough to place in the seedling and to bury it 2/3 of the way. Covering 2/3 of the plant with soil will help encourage a deep and strong root system.
2. Put the seeding in the hole and cover it 2/3 of the way. Do not over pack soil, as tomatoes love well drained soil.
3. Place a stake or tomato cage at the time of tranplant. If added later, it may damage the roots.
4. If planting in a container, make sure it is a large pot so that there will be room for the tomato to grow.

As the tomato plant grows, it is important to look out for pests, especially green worms that will attach themselves to the undersides of leaves. In 60-80 days, depending on location and variety of tomato planted, expect to be enjoying delicious homegrown vegetables.