Home
When To Start Tomato Seeds
Start tomato seeds indoors or in a greenhouse (find greenhouse plans) before planting season. When spring comes, seedlings will be ready to plant outdoors. Plus you'll grow a more successful crop than if you sow them directly in the garden.What's the best seed starting date?
Start too early and your plants will outgrow their pots quickly and become leggy, root-bound, and weak. They’ll spend their first weeks in the garden regaining strength, rather than producing new leaf growth and flowers.
Start your seeds late and you can have a delayed crop.
By mid-winter, most gardeners are itching to get growing. Have patience to not start too early.
Start dates differ from region to region
Timing your tomato seed starting is not a one-size-fits-all. Much depends on your climate.How to know when to start tomato seeds
Try these 2 easy steps to calculate the best time to start your seeds where you live.- Determine the last frost date for your region. If you’re not sure, contact your local extension office. You can also view the freeze/frost information provided by the [url=http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/climatenormals/climatenormals.pl?directive=prod_select2&prodtype=CLIM2001&subrnum to Freeze/Frost Data from the U.S. Climate Normals]National Climatic Data Center[/url]. Select your state from the drop-down list. On the opened chart, choose the city closest to you. You’ll see the average last frost dates for spring (and first frost for fall) dates – among plenty of other data.
- Count back 4-6 weeks from the last frost date for your region to know when to start your tomatoes.
Plant your tomato seedlings outdoors 1-2 weeks after the last frost date
Waiting longer to plant after the last frost date will reduce the chance of losing your tomato crop to freeze and will allow the ground to warm – which is the kind of environment in which tomatoes do best!Sample calculation
The last frost date in upstate South Carolina: April 15
Ideal tomato seed starting date: March 1
When to plant tomato seedlings: April 25-May 7
http://www.tomatodirt.com/tomato-seeds.html
tips for growing better tomatoes from seed
THAT OLD, DISCARDED ELECTRIC FAN that isn’t strong enough for the hot summers of global warming…hey, bring it on. It’s perfect for accomplishing one of the tricks to growing better tomato seedlings, which is (after all) the only thing you probably really care about right now. To hell with winter. Onward!It’s still too early for sowing tomatoes here, with April 15 my target date, but I can dream. Those of you in warmer zones can stop dreaming, and do (and if you already sowed, it’s not too late to start petting your plants to help them grow sturdier…really). The goal is not a tall seedling by transplant time but a stout and sturdy one, about 4 inches high and wide.
The tips:
- Work from your final frost date to determine when to sow (calculate it here; mine’s early June).
- Count back from 5 or 6 to as much as 8 weeks. Everyone has their own beliefs on this. I like a strong little plant grown in a medium-large cell, so 6 is plenty; my seedlings would need larger quarters (like a 3- or 4-inch pot each) to thrive for 8 weeks indoors; more work, but to my mind no extra benefit.
- Seeds germinated on a heat mat in flats will get off to a particularly fast start. A soil temperature of 70 degrees is essential; higher (like mid-80s) is better in those early days. I did not use a heat mat until recently because I sowed directly in APS cells (insulated, self-watering foam trays that last many years), not seed flats; lately I’ve been doing some of both.
- If you’re re-using seedling flats or APS or Speedlings (another polystyrene system) or other containers, first clean everything with a 1:10 bleach:water solution.
- Start with fresh seed-starting mix. A soilless mix (they are usually peat-based) is best. This is not any old potting soil; it’s specially formulated for seedlings.
- My hero, James Underwood Crockett of the original “Victory Garden” series, would sprinkle 6-8 seeds per 3-inch seedling pot, then after about two weeks, or when the plants were 1½ inches high, transplant them into 6-packs, one plant per cell. Confession: Rather than transplant, I usually put two seeds per cell and use a nail scissors to cut out the weakling, skipping the potting up. I start with slightly larger cells than a conventional plastic 6-pack, however; others swear by transplanting each baby to its own 3- or even 4-inch pot.
- Barely cover seeds after sowing with ¼ inch more mix and tamp down, then moisten thoroughly (easiest with a spray bottle). If you are using a bottom-watering system like APS, mist the tops, then fill the water wells.
- Keep the covered trays in a warm spot (no light needed or even desired). Again, 70 degrees is the minimum requirement, and the desired temperature throughout their young lives.
- Do not let the seeds dry out before they germinate.
- Germination will take place from a few days (with early varieties) to 10 days or so. A consistently moist environment is essential, but don’t let them cook or drown, either; vent the lid or bag so no moisture beads are ever running down the sides.
- Once up, it’s critical to move the babies fast off the heat mat and into a high-light situation or they will stretch out and be useless. Forget low light . See my big seed-starting rig story for details about how much light (14 hours minimum a day; some think 16 is better) and how close to the plants it needs to be (a couple of inches, meaning some form of adjustable setup). And read my seed-starting basics. Even new T-5 grow bulbs in a reflective hood provide only a fraction of the light outdoors; read up on why seedlings stretch and get spindly.
- Feed with half-strength water-soluble fertilizer after the first true leaves appear. IMPORTANT: If the seed-starting mix you bought includes fertilizer, go easy or skip this step. Overfertilized baby plants can stress out and even die. If using unfertilized mix, plan to feed at half-strength twice during the plants’ indoor growing period.
- They will grow fast now, and this is when you must transplant if you sowed in “community pots” or they’ll become overcrowded.
- Don’t water with cold water; and never douse. Mist, with tepid water, or use a device whose spout delivers gently. I’ve known people to use everything from a houseplant watering can with a very narrow spout to a discarded soda bottle with one of those pop-up tops. Some systems, such as APS, have wick-like mats beneath the cells that draw up moisture.
- Turn on the fan, on low, not right next to the plants but so they feel it a little bit. This helps strengthen them, like young trees whose trunks grow stronger in the wind. Air movement also helps prevent deadly fungal diseases like damping off.
- Brush the tops of the seedlings daily with your hand to provide the “mechanical conditioning” that creates sturdy, not spindly seedlings. Not just once, but gently for a half-minute or minute. (Yes, go ahead, talk to them while you do it. I probably do without even realizing it.)
- If the weather is somewhat settled, I carry my flats outdoors for at least a few hours a day, setting them in a sunny but protected spot.
- If any flower buds form on your young plants, pinch them off. Don’t let the baby stress itself trying to reproduce just yet.
- More, more more: All my Tomato-Growing FAQs are on this page, or read all my Tomato-Troubles FAQs (in case you encounter any pest or disease). My vegetable-seed calculator tool can tell you when to start your tomatoes and other crops.
- All sound like too much trouble? You can direct-sow tomato seed right in the garden if your season is 4 months or longer between frosts…and if you are vigilant about weeding, watering and all the other steps in tomato TLC. And of course you can also just buy seedlings, locally or by mail.
http://awaytogarden.com/tips-for-growing-better-tomatoes-from-seed/
» Sudanese advisor criticizes Kuwaiti analyzes regarding the development road project
» Al-Mandalawi stresses the need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between Iraq and Poland
» Power maneuvers: America provides defensive weapons to Kurdistan in exchange for withholding from Ba
» Kuwait is drilling an oil well near Umm Qasr, towards Iraqi territory
» In the document... the first Iraqi ministry identifies the obstacles to changing the new official wo
» Italian Institute: Iraq is stuck in its own crises, including Baghdad’s efforts to undermine the “au
» The head of the Integrity Commission announces the holding of an international Interpol conference i
» Planning: Iraqi companies are not efficient in conducting the population census
» utube MM&C 4/24/24 Support - USA- Turkey - Timing- Currency Value - Tabled
» MM&C 4/25/24 National Bank of Iraq goes live with Temenos core banking and payments
» A banking official indicates a "danger" to Iraq by depriving more than half of its banks of dollars
» With the participation of the Association of Private Banks, investment opportunities are on the tabl
» Within a month... an Iranian border crossing recorded a noticeable increase in exports of goods to I
» The Association of Private Banks appreciates the efforts of the government and the Central Bank to c
» Al-Maliki's coalition presents a third candidate for the position of governor of Diyala
» Arab gathering: The Kirkuk problem is getting complicated and the Sudanese must intervene
» Next week.. a Kurdish delegation will visit Baghdad to meet with the Minister of Finance
» Under the pretext of salaries... Al-Party refrains from handing over port revenues to Baghdad
» Association of Banks: For the first time, we are witnessing a clear targeting of depriving half of t
» Parliament does not know the reason for the delay in sending the 2024 budget schedules: Voting takes
» Applicants for the 2024 Hajj are demanding that the Central Bank secure the dollar for them through
» Governmental and private banks will showcase their services tomorrow during Financial Inclusion Week
» Iraq's oil exports rise despite OPEC+ cuts
» A study explodes a "surprise"... Iraq is among the countries that export oil to "Israel": How is the
» Al-Araji emphasizes working to strengthen national identity
» Al-Sudani visits Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Economic Forum in Riyadh
» Iraq is talking about producing one million additional liters of gasoline
» The Council of Ministers approves the implementation of the Baghdad Metro project
» Minister of Commerce: We formed a joint economic committee with Türkiye
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
» Parliamentary Finance: Baghdad will continue to send salaries to the region’s employees until settle
» A parliamentarian describes the corruption of Iraqi ports as “ghouls” and reveals the involvement of
» Obelisk Hour: Basra is the subject of political conflict and ambiguity over the fate of the funds al
» Turkmen leader: An agreement on the local government of Kirkuk is near
» Anbar calls for the operation of its factories despite financial obstacles
» Turki: The crisis of the Presidency of Parliament prompted the Sunnis to amend the Council’s interna
» The Agriculture Committee confirms the existence of Iraqi-Turkish-Iranian discussions on water
» Resources diagnose the challenges facing the water file in Iraq
» Parliament pledges to the Interior Ministry: We will transfer money to buy weapons from citizens
» Al-Issawi is the closest.. Parliament sets the date for deciding the choice of the new president
» Deputy: Iraq's investments have risen and need a comprehensive review of previous years
» Iraqis consume 7 billion eggs annually and import about $900 million
» The Iranian role complicates attempts at open cooperation between Iraq and Turkey. Turkey is trying
» Move in Iran to obtain $242 billion from Iraq in compensation for the eight-year war
» 12 decisions from the Council of Ministers regarding the Baghdad Metro and Najaf-Karbala train proje
» Sudanese Advisor: The path to development has begun... the Baka and the militias “we silence them wi
» Not from Kurdistan.. How did Iraq become a source of oil for “Israeli tanks”?
» Parliamentary Agriculture criticizes the Sudanese and Erdogan agreement: Türkiye will control water
» The Iraqi government issues new decisions
» The story of “reduced oil” to Jordan, from “compulsion” to mutual benefit.. Is there a loss?
» The Council of Ministers takes 12 decisions for the Baghdad Metro and the Najaf-Karbala train
» utube MM&C 4/23/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - Development Road Project - Saviour of Global Banking
» Kidney from pig transplanted into deathly ill New Jersey woman — and begins working almost immediat
» The most difficult option.. Warnings of the danger of floating the Iraqi dinar without achieving an
» Trade from the “Economic Committee” with Türkiye: It will overcome all obstacles facing the traders
» Washington's hope for stable relations with Baghdad clashes with Iraqi parties' rejection of the Ame
» Karim Badr: Development is America’s will to kill silk
» Oil: Opening of a new port for liquid gas for vehicles in Baghdad
» A media advisor warns of corruption in a draft law on the Parliament’s agenda
» Economist: There is serious work to lift US sanctions on Iraqi banks
» Will the agreements signed with the US Treasury reflect positively on the exchange rates?
» Iraq continues its quest to join the World Trade Organization
» Iraq completes the completion of the files for the initial offer of goods and services to join the W
» Economist: Travelers' dollars are leaking into the parallel market...and this is what the Central Ba
» President of the Federal Court: It is not permissible to force anyone to join any party, and the pol
» The Council of Ministers holds its session headed by Al-Sudani
» America weakens Baghdad...and increases Kurdistan's military capabilities
» The Iraqi government plans to build 10,000 schools throughout the country
» American threats close the Iraqi Stock Exchange at a loss
» Increase in external transfers at the Central Bank
» Al-Maliki calls on Britain to cancel restrictions on the entry of its companies into Iraq
» Planning and the European Union are discussing signing a number of agreements in the development, en
» Parliament talks about the mechanism for recovering smuggled funds and hints at the next stage
» Interior Ministry: The number of completed national cards reached 37 million cards
» Amnesty International: Violations of freedom and human rights continue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Reg
» Parliamentary Oil: The government is proceeding with the decision to raise the price of improved gas
» A parliamentary committee in Basra to investigate violations of the port company and the local gover
» Revealing the 10 most important American exports to Iraq
» A noticeable increase in the rate of Iraq's import of Chinese cooling devices
» Prime Minister: Working on projects without completing the infrastructure is a waste of money
» Iraq.. Extending the deadline for registration procedures on plots of land
» What is the main purpose of conducting the population census in Iraq?
» A plan to transform Iraq from a barren land to green with 5 million trees
» The Housing Fund announces the acceptance of more than 11 thousand loans through the Ur platform
» The Bank of Baghdad is moving to increase its capital to 400 billion dinars
» The electronic payment system will soon be adopted on Iraqi buses
» “It threatens our interests and destroys our economy.” An Iraqi project “irritates” the Kuwaiti stre
» Warning from the Central Bank about “misuse of electronic payment cards”
» Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman are discussing sending capacities through the Gulf countries
» The fact that a decision was issued to deport Syrian workers from Iraq
» Rice comes first... America exports 10 foodstuffs worth more than 350 million dollars to Iraq
» A sixth licensing round for gas exploration
» Baghdad is preparing to host the 50th session of the Arab Labor Conference
» Scientific symposium on the future vision of the tripartite budget
» Five conversion power stations enter service in Najaf
» Planning: Conduct a population census next November
» Experts: Spreading misleading information harms development and investment
» Economists call for tightening money laundering laws and port controls