Tomatoes are a very nutritious vegetable.
They are the storehouse of vitamin C. No man in the world doesn’t dislike
tomatoes. The nutritional value of tomatoes is not less than apples. They are
popular for their bright red color, taste and nutritional value. However, tomatoes
can be eaten raw or cooked. Today, in this article, I am showing you the best
way of growing tomatoes from seeds. Let's see how to grow tomatoes from
seeds.
Why Grow Tomatoes from Seeds?
When you grow tomatoes from seed, you will have complete
control over the variety, growth process and health of your plants. Here are a
few reasons why growing tomatoes from seed is important:
- More variety: You will get many amazing varieties of tomato plants that you won't get at your local nursery.
- Healthy plants: Tomatoes grown from seed are healthier and more vigorous than store-bought transplants.
- Cost-Effective: Growing tomatoes from seed is much cheaper than buying seedlings from a garden center.
- Satisfaction: There is incredible satisfaction in nurturing a plant from seed to harvest.
How to Grow Tomatoes from Seeds
(Step-by-Step Guide)
1. Choose the Right Tomato Seeds
The first step in growing tomatoes is selecting the right
seeds. Here are some things to consider:
- Heirloom vs Hybrid: Heirloom seeds have unique flavors and varieties. On the other hand, hybrid seeds are more disease-resistant.
- Climate: Choose a tomato variety according to your growing zone. Some tomatoes prefer cooler weather while others grow in the heat.
- Growth Habits: Decide whether you will grow determinate (bush) varieties that grow to a specific height or indeterminate varieties that will keep growing and producing fruit all season.
Popular varieties for beginners include Roma, Cherry
and Beefsteak tomatoes.
2. Growing Tomatoes from Seeds Indoors
If you want to grow tomatoes from seeds,
you will collect the seeds of hybrid varieties in the fixed season. Then follow
the steps below to germinate tomato seeds.
1. After collecting the seeds of hybrid
varieties, dry the seeds in the sun for one day. Then soak the seeds in
water in the evening.
2. Prepare the soil for seed germination
by soaking the seeds in water.
3. To prepare seed germination soil, mix
25% coco peat, 25% sand, 25% cow dung manure and 25% compost manure well
together.
4. Take trays according to your needs and
make two holes in the bottom of each tray. If there are two holes in the tray,
no need to make more.
5. Place two pieces of brick on the two
holes and place a handful of stone or brick pebbles on the two pieces of
brick.
6. Place sand 1 inch thick on stone or
brick pebbles.
7. Apply soil prepared for seed
germination on sand and press by hand.
8. Keep soil to cover the seeds and fill
the trays with soil leaving an inch and a half empty.
9. Spray water on the soil of the
trays and soak it well.
10. When the water is dry, spread the
tomato seeds on the wet soil.
11. Now spread the small amount of soil
left on the seeds and cover the seeds lightly.
12. Cover the face of the trays with
polythene and keep them in a shady place for six or seven days.
13. After six or seven days, you will see
that all your seeds have germinated.
14. Keep the trays in the sunlight little by little every day. After three or four days, keep the trays in full sunlight.
3. Watering and Care for Seedlings
Once your seeds have sprouted, Take care of them this way:
- Light: Tomato seedlings need 12-16 hours of light per day. If natural light is not sufficient indoors, supplement with grow lights.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist. But be careful not to overwater. Thinning: Once your seedlings have developed two sets of leaves, thin them out by snipping the weaker seedlings at the soil level. It will prevent overcrowding and ensure the strongest plants thrive.
- Fertilizing: After two weeks, start feeding your seedlings with a diluted liquid fertilizer every two weeks to promote strong growth.
4. Transplanting Tomato Seedlings Outdoors
When the tomato seedlings are one month
old, transfer the seedlings outdoors. And, for this, follow the steps below:
Prepare the Garden Bed:
- Choose a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to provide nutrients.
How to Transplant:
- Dig holes deep enough to bury the seedlings up to their first set of leaves. Tomato plants can develop roots along their buried stems. So, plant them deep for a stronger root system.
- Water the seedlings thoroughly before transplanting.
- Gently remove the seedlings from the trays and place them in the holes. Water them again after planting to help them settle in.
5. Caring for Your Tomato Plants
A . Watering and Mulching
Tomatoes need consistent watering to grow. Here’s how to do
it right:
- Watering: Water deeply at the base of the plant. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants. It will help retain moisture, suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature.
B. Supporting Your Tomato Plants
Tomato plants, especially indeterminate varieties, will need
support as they grow. Then you can use:
- Cages: Sturdy tomato cages are perfect for supporting bush varieties.
- Stakes: For indeterminate plants, bury long sticks into the ground and tie the tomato plants to them.
- Trellis: You can use trellises for large and sprawling varieties.
C. Pruning and Maintenance
To keep
your tomato plants healthy and productive you have to take care of them.
- Pruning: Remove the small shoots that develop in the leaf joints (called “suckers”) to direct energy into fruit production.
- Pest Control: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids, hornworms and whiteflies. Use organic insecticidal soap or hand-pick the pests off the plants.
FAQ: Common Questions About Growing Tomatoes from Seeds
Q: When to plant tomatoes?
A: Generally,
tomatoes are planted in winter. Nowadays they can also be planted in summer. To
grow winter tomatoes, tomato seeds have to be sown in early winter or between
September and October. And, tomato seedlings have to be planted in November. On
the other hand, to grow summer tomatoes, tomato seeds have to be sown in early
summer or between February and March. And, tomato seedlings have to be planted
in April.
Q: How long does it take to grow tomatoes from seeds?
A: Usually, it takes 6-8
weeks for seeds to grow into seedlings ready for transplanting. Once planted
outdoors, most tomato varieties will produce ripe fruit in 60-85 days.
Q: How to store tomatoes at home?
A: To store tomatoes at
home, first, check if they are ripe. If they are not ripe, keep them at room
temperature until they are ripe. Once they are ripe, store them in a cool and
dry place. You can refrigerate tomatoes for a few days. In this case, while
keeping tomatoes in the fridge, keep them in a bag. For long-term tomato
storage, first, wash the tomatoes well and store them in an airtight bag in the
refrigerator.
Q: How do you know when to harvest tomatoes?
A: Tomatoes are
harvested when they turn red or when redness appears on tomatoes. In addition,
tomatoes can be harvested even after the flowers have fallen.
Q: How do I prevent my tomato seedlings from getting leggy?
A: Supply your seedlings
with enough light at least 12-16 hours per day and keep the growing environment
warm but not too hot. If seedlings stretch too much, they may not receive
enough light.
Finally, it is said that tomatoes are very
beneficial for the human body. So, everybody should eat tomatoes daily whether
one grows tomatoes or not. Therefore, those who have the opportunity should
make a garden on the roof of the house and grow tomatoes indoors in that
garden. I think from this article, you have known the best way of growing
tomatoes from seeds indoors. Thank you so much for reading the full
article.
Are you ready to start growing tomatoes from seeds? Grab your hybrid seeds, follow this guide and get planting today. Don't forget to share your tomato-growing progress with me in the comments. I’d love to hear your progress and see your results. Happy gardening!
