How and When To Sow Tomato Seed

How To Sow Tomato Seed
The following sowing / transplanting methods are available to the amateur gardener who wants to grow tomatoes outside without the use of a greenhouse.

Click on any method below for a detailed description plus the advantages and disadvantages of each.

buying tomato plants ready to plant directly outside
sow tomato seed directly in the soil outside
sow tomato seed in pots indoors (windowsill)
sow tomato seed in pots outside with cloche protection
sowing under fluorescent lights (in the garage or similar)

Tomato Support
Just before transplanting the tomato plants to their final position drive a strong stake into the ground 5cm (2in) from the planting position. The stake should be at least 30cm (1ft) deep in the ground and 1.2m (4ft) above ground level - the further into the ground the better the support.

Tomato Transplanting
Where tomato seedlings have been started in pots, they should be transplanted into their final positions when they are about 15cm (6in) high. Two to three weeks prior to this, the plants should be hardened off - click here for details.

For each plant, dig a hole (45cm / 18in apart) in the bed to the same depth as the pot and water if conditions are at all dry. Ease the plant out of the pot, keeping the root ball undisturbed as far as possible. Place it in the hole and fill around the plant with soil. The soil should be a little higher than it was in the pot.

Loosely tie the plant's stem to the support stake using soft garden twine - allow some slack for future growth.

Container or Grow Bag Culture
The culture of container grown tomatoes is not very different from other methods. The soil used for containers is best half potting compost and half a soil-based type loam - this gives some weight to the soil which helps the stakes to remain in place and stop winds blowing over the container.

The plants will need more frequent watering to keep the soil moist, and will require feeding with a liquid tomato fertiliser once a week starting when the first fruits start to form.

Care of Tomato Plants
Weeding, feeding, watering and support are the main needs of tomato plants.

Watering
A constant supply of moisture is essential for tomatoes - dry periods significantly increase the risk of the fruit splitting. Tomatoes don't like being water-logged, but neither can they stand dry conditions.

Feeding and Weeding
Growing outside, the plants should be fed with a liquid tomato fertiliser every two or three weeks up to the end of August. These tomato fertilisers are high in potash which the plants needs to fruit well. In September, feed with a general fertiliser (higher in nitrogen) in order to help the plant support its foliage. Weed around the plants to discourage pests and diseases. A mulch of well-rotted compost will help retain moisture and prevent weeds.

Green Zebra - super taste and unusual appearance

Tomatoes have two separate areas of the roots. The top area is specialised to take up nutrients in the water they absorb. The lower parts of the roots absorb water but are less able to absorb nutrients. You can make use of these specialised roots to grow healthier and more prolific tomatoes with a simple technique. Click here to find out more.

Support
As the plant grows, tie in the main stem to the support stake - check previous ties to ensure that they do not cut into the stem as the plant grows.

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