and Preparing the Growing Area

Part 6 of our series on how to grow your own tomatoes gives you some useful tip on how to look after those tomato seedlings after germination. If you missed my earlier posts go here to find part 1.

As explained a few days ago, I tend to sow tomato seeds from the end of February and choose a few different varieties for a choice in the kitchen, whilst thinking ahead to the available space in the garden and polytunnel once the plants are fully grown!  Label all your tomato seedlings to avoid confusion as they will look very similar at first.

Seeds will germinate within a couple of weeks in ideal conditions and will need transplanting a few weeks later, depending on the size of the initial pot or seed tray.  You can speed up germination by using a propagator or by making your own with a clear plastic bag but remove when seedlings have started growing so as not to scorch the plant.

For plants that are to be grown outdoors, it is worth preparing the area in a sunny sheltered spot.  Most soils benefit from the addition of organic matter, which can be added when breaking up the soil so that the roots can grow quickly.  Tomatoes prefer a pH between 6 and 7, so if your soil is too acidic, you can add lime.  If your soil is sandy, you can help to conserve moisture by digging a large trench, lining with newspaper and filling with compost.  Many gardeners add wilted comfrey to improve the soil and add nitrogen.  A couple of weeks before transplanting, you can cover the area with plastic to warm the soil and control weeds, removing any weeds that grow. If indeterminate (cordon) plants are to be grown, they will need lots of support, so construct a framework, such as with canes and string.  If you have used the canes with tomato plants before, it is wise to disinfect them to protect against harbouring pests and disease (especially in any cracks).

Keep seedlings in a warm sunny location and water as necessary.  Just keep young seedlings moist, watering preferably from the base, maybe in a tray, so that the roots grow deep and the soil surface does not become mouldy.   As they grow, turn the pots around so that they grow straight rather than lean towards the light.  A mirror can also be used to reflect light.

When your tomato seedlings are strong and you start to see a number of roots peeping through the holes at the bottom of pots or modules, it is time to transplant them.  You can also gently squeeze the sides of the pot to ascertain if the plant has outgrown it as the fine roots are shallow and plentiful.

I prefer not to plant small seedlings directly outdoors or into large containers but to transplant them again into further pots of increasing size.  This makes them easier to care for and controls root growth. Bear in mind that larger tomato plants are quite delicate to move, so taller plants should be in their final location when about 12 inches tall and dwarf plants for hanging baskets can be transplanted earlier.

I will talk about transplanting next time so why not subscribe to our blog and be first to know when it’s published?. In the meantime – have a look at some recommended tomato seed varieties here.