Healthy tomato seedlings lead to a bountiful harvest of juicy, delicious fruit.
Geshas / Getty Images
Growing tomato seedlings is relatively easy.
Your sturdy tomato transplants will then be primed todeliver a hearty harvest.
Credit:Geshas / Getty Images
Dont Start Too Early
Aim to plant tomato seedlings 5 to 6 weeks before your area’slast anticipated spring frost.
It’s easy to get swept up in the joy of impending spring and start tomato seedlings too early.
Wait to plant for the best summertime harvest.
Keep Seeds Warm
Tomato seedlings benefit fromgentle heat as they are germinating.
Remove the seed trays or pots from the heat source as soon as the seeds sprout.
Seedlings grow best when the soil temperature is between 65 and 75F.
Light Them Up
A bright, sunny window is not enough light togrow sturdy tomato seedlings.
Sunlight streaming in a window produces seedlings with lanky, floppy stems.
Tomato seedlings grow best when the light source is positioned 2-4 inches above the foliage.
Use a timer to illuminate seedlings for 14 to 16 hours per day.
Water Smart
Tomato seedlings grow best when the soil is consistently moist but not wet.
Maintain moist soil bywatering lightly every day.
Dont allow the soil to completely dry out.
Awatering canfitted with a sprinkling head is handy.
Aim to space tiny seedlings about 2 inches apart.
Well-spaced tomato seedlings will develop a robust and supportive root system and ample foliage to support future growth.
Aim to fertilize plants once a week.
The idea is to mimic wind, which helps the plants develop strong stems.
The daily air movement also works to keep soilfungal problemsat bay.
Gradually increase the seedlings' exposure to sunlight and wind, bringing them inside each night.
This process is calledhardening-off.
Transplant Tomato Seedlings Successfully
Wait totransplant tomato seedlingsinto the garden until nighttime temperatures are regularly above 50F.
Warm nighttime temperatures lead to warm soil for good tomato seedling growth.
Tomatoes transplanted into cold soil struggle for weeks before good growth begins.
