Foolproof Guide to Growing Tomatoes from Seeds

Once you have eaten home-grown tomatoes and compare the taste to those bought in the grocery store or vegetable market, you would probably prefer to grow your own. Moreover, if you really love eating tomatoes and would like to save money on purchasing them, growing tomatoes from seeds is a good option. How do you grow your own tomatoes?

Some people buy seedlings while others prefer to sow seeds from scratch. If you are considering to grow tomatoes from seeds of an unusual heirloom variety, the best option is to start from scratch, since the most popular heirlooms are only available in the form of seeds.

Growing Heirloom Tomatoes from Seeds

If you are trying to grow tomato from seed, you may want to find out try growing heirloom tomatoes. This is simply a cultivar of tomato which comes in a variety of shapes, colors, flavors and sizes and it helps that they bring out a delicious flavor in your dishes. There are over 600 varieties of heirloom tomatoes; some of which include brandywine, hillbilly, and peacevine cherry to name a few. Your local garden center assistant can give you more information on the names of the various types and which are more resistant to disease.

How to Start Growing Tomatoes from Seeds?

Your geographical location has a lot to do with when you start growing tomatoes from seeds. This means that if you live in a climate where there is frost, you should sow your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Plant the seeds outside about two weeks after that date. If your area does not experience frost, you can simply start by planting your seeds indoors, and put the plants out during day temperatures reaching high seventies and when night temperatures do not drop below fifty-five degrees.

There are disadvantages to starting too soon or too late when growing tomatoes from seeds. If you live in areas where there is frost and you start too soon, your seedlings will probably outgrow either your pots or any light which is provided indoors, or both. This can result in weak, "spindly" plants. You will discover only stems because the plants are struggling to reach upwards to better light. If there are any leaves on the stems, these will be few and yellowish due to a lack of light for photosynthesis. When these plants are placed outdoors, instead of growing, they'll be devoting energy to recovering their health. On the other hand, starting too late can cause you to miss out on the season entirely when growing tomatoes from seed.

Potting Stages of Growing Tomatoes from Seeds

To grow good tomatoes from seed, it is important to start with a good potting mix instead of using garden soil. Potting mix tends to be less compacted, while garden soil may contain weeds and insect pests. With a good potting mix, young, vulnerable roots of tomatoes can penetrate easily. Peat moss is a valuable asset in a potting mix, since this helps in retaining water during the germination stage.

Growing Tomatoes from Seeds using Containers

The type of container depends on the size of your garden. You can use plastic fruit containers to grow your tomatoes from seeds; ensure that they have drainage holes. You may also buy plastic containers or clay pots from a garden store. Clay pots are also good for a small garden; they should have a 12 inch diameter top. You may also use grow bags. Those capable of holding three plants are the best.

If you do not have enough space for a vegetable garden, you can use containers to grow tomatoes from seeds. Place them on a sunny balcony, porch or patio. The important thing here is to use varieties of tomato which will thrive in container culture. There are many varieties of tomatoes that can thrive in containers. These include the patio, tiny Tim, gem state, toy boy and patio prize to name a few.

How to Select Seeds for Growing Tomatoes

In order to produce really good tomatoes, you first need to shop around for fresh seeds. Tomato seeds are available in abundance from various retail stores such as Tomato Growers Supply with a wide variety. Check them for maturation dates, and if you live in an area where it snows or there is the likelihood of frost, ensure that the variety of seeds you choose will produce tomatoes before snow or frost arrives. To be successful in growing tomatoes from seeds, you should acquire your seeds from reputable commercial sources. Use seeds which are less than four years old since germination decreases as tomato seeds age. However, very old seeds can still be germinated if stored in cool and dry conditions.

Sowing and Sprouting Tomato Seeds

Fill a container or several containers with damp potting mix. When growing tomatoes from seeds, sow the seeds about one eighth to half an inch deep. Water gently but thoroughly and firm the mix lightly so as to ensure that the seed is in direct contact with the damp mix. In this way it can absorb moisture during its germination process. If a wet seed dries out while germinating, it will die. Covering the container or containers lightly will assist in preserving moisture. You may use a sheet of plastic or place the containers in plastic bags. Cheesecloth also works as a covering as they allow for some air to circulate.

Place the container or containers in a warm location and out of direct sunlight. Your seeds will usually germinate within five to ten days if kept at an optimum temperature range of 70 to 80F (21-27C).Temperatures below 50F (10C) should be avoided at all costs. So too should temperatures above 95F (35C) since these are detrimental to germination. Keep an eye out for the first tomato seedlings; they should be moved into bright light as soon as they emerge from the soil. If not, they will reach for light, and if the available light is not adequate, the stems will be “spindly” and weak as mentioned earlier. If this occurs, you can try transferring them to a deeper container.

Caring for your Tomato Seedlings

Light continues to play a major role in the care of your seeds. The seedlings need 12 to 16 hours of light per day for optimal growth. If your seedlings are in a container on a window sill, you will need to turn them daily so they will not have a permanent southward bend in the stem. Once your seedlings have obtained four leaves, transfer them to deeper pots, using a light potting mixture. Be careful to not disturb the roots or bruise the tender plants. Start by putting a layer of potting soil, about one inch, in the bottom of the new pots. Next, tip the seedling and carefully remove it from its container and place in a pot about four inches by four inches and four to six inches deep. Now carefully fill the pot with soil, ensuring that you cover most of the stem of the seedling. Allow only the leaves to be above the soil line.

Tip: If the plants develop several sets of leaves before you re-pot seedlings, you should pinch off all the leaves except for the top clump, leaving only about 2-3 sets of leaves. When you are ready to transplant your tomato seedlings outdoors, repeat this process again when seedlings are eight to ten inches tall.

If all instructions are followed carefully, you will have beautiful, luscious and delicious tomatoes which you can eat and enjoy at your pleasure. Share your tomatoes with your friends. They will probably fall in love with the taste and become interested in growing their own tomatoes. Those who are not the gardening inclined, may even be interested in purchasing tomatoes from you. In this case, you will not only be saving money on growing tomatoes from seeds but also earning as well.