If you want to taste your very own juicy tomatoes, middle of March to early April is the best time to start growing tomatoes from seed. It is the sole manner to harvest the best tasting heirloom varieties which aren’t normally obtainable as nursery started plants. It is both fun and exciting to take a look at the growing cycle and watch as the tomato seedlings grow into big, healthy plants producing superbly colored, great tasting fruits and to harvest and enjoy these fresh fruits.
Start as Early as Mid-March
Tomatoes need lots of sunlight and a long, warm budding period to grow from seed to bearing fruits. Aside from those tropical areas, summers in the US are too short for tomatoes to complete their fruiting phase before the summer ends if they are planted directly on the ground because seeds won’t sprout until the frosts have melted and the weather warms up. We have to give the tomatoes a crucial head start by sprouting and growing the seedlings inside the warmth of our indoors during early spring. So that when the season warms up outdoors during the late spring, we can then plant strong and healthy seedlings outside in order to bear fruit before the cold season starts.
Sowing Seed Indoors
Usually, when growing tomatoes from seed, the best time to start planting the seeds is around 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost time in your place. Then, plant your seedlings outside 2 weeks after that time. Another method is to plan on planting out healthy seedlings when the temperatures remain within the mid-50 degree range during the day and night. Then count 6 to 8 weeks before that time usually arrives. If you don’t find confidence in your timing, ask for assistance from a friend who is experienced in the field of gardening or you can go ask a garden center or seek the help of farmers or other experienced gardeners.
More Helpful Tips
Home gardeners can choose from a wide variety of tomatoes. However, special care is needed for the gardener to become successful. It is advised that you use a sterile growth media which can be had in your favorite garden supply center. You are to make sure that you plants receive enough lighting and humidity and maintain temperatures within the range of 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. If the plants turn out to be elongated and spindly, try increasing the amount of light they receive.
Always make sure to plant the tomatoes outdoors when the frost time is over. Planting them very early can expose the plants to cool air and soil. Also, these plants are super sensitive to frost and will likely be killed at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on growing tomatoes from seed early, you have to protect them using row covers or plastic containers or hot caps. Unlike other plants, tomato plants do better if their stems are slightly buried. Roots will grow along their stem, building an even stronger root system. The tomato plants must be planted so that the soil level is below the lowest leaves.
