Tomato Seeds Germination

Germination is simply the process of growing something from seeds. Tomato seeds are relatively easy to germinate. There are some simple rules of thumb to follow. Whether you use seeds that you harvest yourself from your old plants or buy packaged seeds, start at the right time and use the right materials.

Seeds

Make sure the seeds you use are fresh. They should be less than four years old. The older the seeds get, the lower the germination rate will be.

Soil

Do not use soil from the garden. It is not pure and can have fungus or viruses. Buy a seed starting mix from the garden center that is a combination of peat moss, vermiculite and perlite.

Containers

The type of container does not matter as long as it is well drained. Some choices include flats like plants come in from the garden center, regular flower pots or even styrofoam cups with holes poked in the bottom.

Planting

Plant the seeds about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover to retain moisture. If the seeds dry out, they will not germinate. Keep them in a warm (70 to 80 degrees F) location, out of direct sunshine. The seeds should germinate in about five to 10 days. When they start to germinate, transplant the seedlings to larger containers.

Timing

Start the seedlings about 10 weeks before the expected date of the first frost in your area. They should be transplanted outdoors from one to two weeks after the date of the last expected frost.

References

• Growing Tomatoes