Materials Needed for Planting Tomato Seeds:
Seed tray or seeding terrine Potting soil Sand Hand seeder Spray bottle Mini greenhouse Biodegradable pots Watering can Transplanting tomatoes into pots:
During transplanting, to prevent seedlings from becoming too tall, it is prudent to bury them in their pots up to the first leaves. This also promotes greater root growth.
When to Plant Tomatoes Indoors?
Tomato planting can continue until April, also under warm protection. February plantings yield from mid-June, while those in April yield in July-August.
How to Germinate Your Own Tomato Seedlings:
To succeed in planting tomatoes before spring, it should be done in a greenhouse, a glazed veranda, near a window, or even in an apartment:
Use potting soil or a mix of universal soil and sand (1/4 sand per pot of soil). Sift the soil until no large pieces remain. Keep the large pieces to drain the bottom of the tray. Use a small seeding tray of a few centimeters and place the pieces of soil at the bottom. Fill with fine soil, level, and lightly compact. Sow tomato seeds in the tray. Sift soil over the seeds and compact. Put a few centimeters of water in a tray, halfway up the seeding tray. When the tray is damp, place it with its lid on a tray with a heater that will rise to 20°C. When the tomatoes start to sprout, ventilate through the small opening in the lid. Once the tomatoes are between 1 and 2 cm, remove the lid, but only during the day. Temperatures for Tomato Planting:
Tomatoes grow best between 18 and 20°C, about a week after planting, provided they have plenty of light.
Selection of Tomato Seedlings and Transplanting:
When seedlings have 3 or 4 leaves, proceed with transplanting. Select the strongest, straightest ones, not too elongated. Lift them carefully with a wooden spatula to avoid damaging the roots. Prepare plastic pots or, better yet, biodegradable material.
When and How to Transplant Tomatoes?
Fill pots with peat (1/3) and fine soil (2/3) and plant the young seedlings with a very fine planter. A pencil can do the trick. Compact with your fingers around the plant and water with fine water. Keep warm until transplanting.
