How to Grow Tomatoes From Seeds in 6 Easy Steps
If you prefer the taste of fresh tomatoes in your salads or meals, you can easily learn how to grow tomatoes from seeds. Homegrown tomatoes are not only as organic as you can get, but will also save you money on your grocery bills.
1. Select your tomato seed variety.
There are numerous types of tomato seeds to try if you don't have a preference. Always opt for a certified organic seed that is devoid of additives when purchasing tomato seeds.
2. Prepare your planting pots.
Tomato plants grow in hot weather, so gardeners recommend starting seeds indoors before transferring seedlings to the ground. On a level surface, place your growth containers. Then add your potting mix, leaving approximately a half-inch of space between the soil and the top of the container. Before sowing seeds, lightly tamp the soil.
3. Plant the seeds
Place 2-3 seeds in each container and space them evenly apart. Keep in mind that not all of them will germinate, so seed a few at a time. After that, lightly moisten the soil and cover the seeds with a sprinkle of more potting soil. Make sure the soil is moist but not soaked.
4. Set seedling containers in a warm location.
Because tomatoes thrive in warm environments, set your pots near a sunny window or on a window ledge. Tomato seeds germinate in five to ten days on average.
5. Place your seeds in the soil
You may grow tomatoes outside after the weather warms up and the soil temperature does not go below 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, before you can bury them permanently, you must "harden" them, which means allowing them to adapt to the outside.
Take the seedlings outside during the day and bring them back at night about a week before you want to plant them in the ground. This prepares the tomato plant for exposure to the sun.
Tomato plants are ready to be transferred outside after they have formed their first set of leaves and are 2 to 4 inches tall. Find a sunny site and space the seedlings approximately two feet apart in the soil.
Remove the plant's lowest set of leaves and bury it, leaving only the top set exposed. Lightly spray with water.
6. Harvesting Tomatoes.
The tomato plants will be ready to harvest in 3 to 4 months after planting.
Frequently asked questions
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