How to Plant Tomato Seedlings
Many beginning gardeners avoid tomato plants because of their difficult reputation. In particular, the step of "hardening off" seedlings is mysterious to most novices. Once you learn the basics, though, the process of planting tomato seedlings is really quite straightforward. As you will soon learn, the rewards are worth the effort, since few types of fresh produce can compete with a sun-ripened tomato for delicious appearance and flavor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Harden off tomato seedlings, which means gradually expose them to outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden. On the first day, place them outside in the shade, then bring them back inside at night. Over the next seven days, gradually expose them to greater degrees of sunlight, until the seedlings are in full sun during the day. Keep bringing them inside at night during this period.
-
2
Start to transplant tomatoes when the soil temperature in your area reaches 55 to 60 F, and when the seedlings are at least 6 inches tall. Choose a cloudy day if possible. If your seedlings aren't getting too root-bound to wait (and if your growing season isn't too short), start with just one or two transplants, then repeat the process in the coming weeks. With this method, you will have a longer tomato harvest period later, rather than one huge bumper crop week.
-
-
3
Dig into and break up the soil in the area you will be planting, if it hasn't been used for gardening recently. If it's part of a regular garden plot, this is probably not necessary.
-
4
Dig a hole deep enough to easily accommodate the seedling's root structure, but not deeper than it was growing in the seed pot. Sprinkle a little compost in the hole if you have it.
-
5
Pinch off the lowest leaves of the tomato seedling. Carefully transfer it from its previous container to the hole. Gently fill in around it with dirt, covering the roots completely. You can also spread some more compost around the plant if you have it.
-
6
Water the tomato seedling generously.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
In cooler climates, it can be preferable to bury more of the tomato's stem. Pinch off more leaves if necessary (making sure to leave the top cluster intact) and dig a deeper hole. This gives the plant more stability, as additional roots will grow from the stem.
