Planting Tomato Seeds - How To Start Tomato Plants From Seed

Place two or three seeds into each small container or each cell of a seed starter. Cover the seed with about 1/4" of soil and gently firm it over the seeds. Water to ensure good seed-to-mix contact. You can use a plant mister or just dribble a stream of water over the top.

1. How do you start tomato seeds indoors?
2. How long do you soak tomato seeds before planting?
3. Do you need to soak tomato seeds before planting?
4. How long do tomato seeds take to start growing?
5. What is the fastest way to germinate tomato seeds?
6. Is it hard to grow tomatoes from seed?
7. Can you grow tomatoes from store bought?
8. Can I plant seeds straight from a tomato?
9. How deep do I plant tomato seeds?
10. Should I soak my vegetable seeds before planting?
11. Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?
12. Do tomato seeds need sunlight to germinate?
13. What month do you plant tomato seeds?
14. How often should I water tomato seedlings?
15. Can you put seeds straight into soil?
16. Do tomato seeds germinate better in the dark?
17. How can you make seeds germinate faster?
18. How often do you put Epsom salt on tomatoes?
19. Are coffee grounds good for tomato plants?
20. Are eggshells good for tomato plants?

How do you start tomato seeds indoors?

Starting Tomato Seeds Indoors Technique Tips with Photos

1. Starting indoors, in a container of well moistened, sterile seed-starting mix, make shallow furrows with a pencil or chopstick about 1/4 in. ...
2. Gently pinch together soil to cover each furrow, covering seeds 1/4 in. ...
3. Day 7 - Seedlings have germinated.

How long do you soak tomato seeds before planting?

Many sources recommend 8-12 hours and no more than 24 hours. Again, too much soaking and the seeds will start to decompose. If you use very hot water, the soaking time will decrease. We've always liked to use warm water and start the soaking at bedtime, then plant first thing in the morning.

Do you need to soak tomato seeds before planting?

Simply soak seeds in warm water the night before you'll be planting them to soften the hull of the seeds and help the sprout break the seal. Tomato seeds do not usually need to be presoaked, but if you've had particular trouble with germination, it's worth a try.

How long do tomato seeds take to start growing?

At a temperature of 21 degrees celsius, tomato seeds usually germinate in 7 to 14 days. After germination remove the smaller plant. Pot on the tomato seedlings as soon as they're big enough to handle.

What is the fastest way to germinate tomato seeds?

Tomato seeds kept at warm room temperature and sprayed with water twice daily should sprout within a week. As soon as the seedlings break the surface, move them to bright light. A full-spectrum grow-light is ideal, but a sunny window will do provided the seedlings are watched closely to make sure they don't dry out.

Is it hard to grow tomatoes from seed?

Growing tomatoes from seed isn't hard, but there are a few things to be aware of. If you peruse a seed catalog, especially one geared toward heirloom vegetables, you'll quickly realize that the selection of tomato transplants in nurseries pales in comparison to the variety of seed that are available.

Can you grow tomatoes from store bought?

Tomatoes are a relatively easy plant to care for, and can in fact be grown from the seeds of a store bought tomato. Ferment the seeds, plant them in the ground and place a cage or stake near the growing plant, and in only a few months you will have a wonderful, nutritious fruit.

Can I plant seeds straight from a tomato?

Planting seeds from fresh tomatoes is no harder than planting store-bought seeds. Remove the seeds from a ripe tomato and soak them for 14 hours in tepid water. Dry them on a paper towel and plan to plant them within seven days.

How deep do I plant tomato seeds?

Plant Your Tomato Seeds

Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep and press on the soil a little to make sure the seeds have sufficient contact with the soil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to conserve moisture, and place your seeds in a dark, warm location, preferably between 70°F to 80°F.

Should I soak my vegetable seeds before planting?

It is recommended that you only soak most seeds for 12 to 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. ... After soaking your seeds, they can be planted as directed. The benefit of soaking seeds before planting is that your germination time will be reduced, which means you can have happy, growing plants faster.

Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

Do tomato seeds need sunlight to germinate?

Tomato seeds can be sown directly outdoors but may not have enough time to grow to full size and produce, depending on your climate. ... Seeds don't need light to germinate, although after germination, you should ideally give the seedlings 14 or more hours of light a day.

What month do you plant tomato seeds?

Tomatoes are easy to grow from seed sown indoors in warm conditions. Sow from late March to early April if you plan to grow the plants outdoors. If you'll be growing your tomatoes in a greenhouse, you can start sowing earlier, from late February to mid-March.

How often should I water tomato seedlings?

In general, thoroughly water newly planted seeds or seedlings to remove any air gaps in the soil. You may have to water daily while the plants are young and depending on the temperature you may have to water twice. As a rule of thumb tomato plants require 1 - 1.5 inches of water a week (explained further down).

Can you put seeds straight into soil?

Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it's an easy process that yields great results. ... Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.

Do tomato seeds germinate better in the dark?

Tomato Seed Germination

Since seeds don't need light to germinate, you can germinate them anywhere, even inside a dark cabinet if you like. ... Add enough water to moisten the seed and added soil, and replace the tray's plastic cover to prevent moisture loss, according to Burpee Seeds and Plants.

How can you make seeds germinate faster?

One easy way to make seeds germinate faster is to presoak them for 24 hours in a shallow container filled with hot tap water. Water will penetrate the seed coat and cause the embryos inside to plump up. Don't soak them for longer than 24 hours because they could rot. Plant the seeds immediately in moist soil.

How often do you put Epsom salt on tomatoes?

The ideal solution ratio is 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per foot of plant height. If your tomato plant is two feet in height, you'll be feeding it two tablespoons of Epsom salt at least twice a month! Once on the 15th and another on the 30th would be perfect. For other plants, the general rule is once every six weeks.

Are coffee grounds good for tomato plants?

Coffee grounds added to compost and used in the garden as organic fertilizer give your tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants a boost, attract earthworms and may deter both slugs and insect pests in the garden. ... Keep coffee grounds to no more than 20 percent of the material included in your compost.

Are eggshells good for tomato plants?

Use them in your garden. Although most soil has plenty of calcium, eggshells add extra calcium to plants without messing up the pH like lime often does in a garden. ... Extra compost like eggshells will make your tomato plants happy, thus making you happy in the long run.