How to Start Tomato Plants in Peat Pellets

Start tomato plants in peat pellets then transplant them into larger pots.

Starting tomato plants in peat pellets allows you to get an early start on the growing season. Start your tomato seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. Peat pellets appear as flat disks when they are dry, but once you add water the peat pellets will expand onto a peat pot. Plant the tomato seeds directly into the peat pellet, then transplant the seedlings -- peat pot and all -- into slightly larger individual growing pots once they germinate. Growing your own tomato plants will provide you with an abundant amount of fresh tomatoes, of just the varieties you prefer.

Things You'll Need

• Peat pellets
• Bowl
• Starter tray
• Peat
• Clear plastic wrap
• 4-inch growing pots
• Commercial potting soil
• Garden fork
• Compost
• Rake
• Shovel
• Tomato fertilizer

Instructions

1. Soak the peat pellets in a bowl of water. Once the peat pellets appear hydrated, place them into a starter tray. The pellets will expand to their full size within 30 minutes.

2. Fill the preformed hole with peat. Plant the tomato seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, and then push the peat over the seed.

3. Cover the starter tray with clear plastic wrap. Place the tray in a sunny location and the seeds will sprout within 10 days. Leave the seed tray in the window for an additional week after they sprout.

4. Transplant the seedlings and their peat pots into individual 4-inch planting pots and surround the peat pot with commercial potting soil. Seedling root will grow through the peat into the potting soil, so there is no risk of transplant shock or damage to tender roots.

5. Place the seedlings next to a sunny window that provides at least eight to 12 hours of sunlight each day.

6. Harden the seedlings outdoors once the daytime temperatures remain around 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperatures stay above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seedlings outdoors in a shady location for three to four days, and then move them to a sunny location for one to two hours for the first day. Increase the time they are in the sunlight by one to two hours a day until they are outdoors for a whole day.

7. Select a location outdoors where the tomato plants will receive direct sunlight. Remove any weeds from the location and cultivate the soil to a depth of 12 inches with a garden fork. Add 2 inches of compost to the soil and work it in with a rake.

8. Dig a hole for the tomato seedlings once they grow two sets of leaves. Plant the seedlings at the same depth as the planting pots. Water the soil to keep it moist, and water them with 1 inch of water a week during the growing season.

9. Apply a fertilizer to the tomatoes every other week. Apply a tomato fertilizer according to the manufacturer's dosage instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Research the varieties of tomatoes that exist before you grow tomatoes. Select a variety that grows well in your area.

• Always keep the peat pellets covered while they germinate to trap in the moisture. The tomato plants may not germinate if you do not cover them with plastic wrap.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: How to Start Plants Indoors from Seeds
• Gardening Tips and Ideas: Growing Roma Tomatoes
• Mother Earth News: Easy Plant Propagation
• The Ohio State University: Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden