Growing from Seeds
Planting seeds and growing tomato plants from them is not too demanding and is also very rewarding. It is easy to find seed packets with which to experiment as there are so many different varieties from which to select.
For the initial period of between 6-8 weeks, the tomato seeds should be grown indoors. To ensure the seedlings are ready to move outdoors when the weather is right, this would normally start in early spring.
Prepare a planting tray with compost and disperse the tomato seeds thinly over the surface. It is also common to sow the seeds in a plant pot kept in the sunlight. The tomato seeds favour warm conditions so it’s best to keep your planting tray in a warm area or on a windowsill. A greenhouse is an ideal environment for this.
Many growers like to add cling film over the tray to prevent the soil from drying out. As soon as the seedlings become visible, the cling film should be removed. Moist soil is preferred by tomato plants but you must see to it that they are not over watered.
The tomato plants enjoy the sunlight. If you are growing your seedlings in a tray on a windowsill, make sure that you rotate the tray every day or two, to make sure that all of the plants gain access to the light, allowing them to grow evenly. To avoid the plants becoming bent from straining towards the light, or thin and leggy, see to it that there is good access to light whilst indoors.
When the seedlings have acheived a height of about 3-5cm (1-2 inches), they can be transplanted from the tray to their individual pots, being very careful not to damage the roots. The seedlings should be lifted by the leaves and not the stem to avoid harm at this early stage.
In the new soil, make a hole big enough to take the seedling’s roots. The hole must be filled with compost and the seedlings watered right away. Apply light pressure to the compost to make sure the roots make good contact with the soil that is it’s new home.
To ensure uniform growth, keep the seedlings in the sunlight and turn frequently. When the seedlings have reached a height of roughly 20cm (8 inches) tall, they should be transplanted again into bigger containers or pots.
The seedlings need to be hardened off by placing them outside in the sun for a few hours each day, before relocating them into the outdoor garden. This will help with a smooth acclimatisation to the outdoor temperatures.
When the weather is warm enough for them to be transplanted outdoors, the seedlings should have grown about half a dozen leaves or so. When burying the seedlings in the soil ensure that only the top four leaves remain above the surface.
Tomato plants are able to grow roots all along it’s stem, so ensuring it’s stems are buried deep will help in the development of a root system that is sturdy and robust. A stronger plant will develop, better able to carry the weight of the fruit and so avoiding rotting fruit from ground contact. A stronger plant results in a superior harvest.
