How to Grow Tomatoes from seed
Tomatoes are easy to get started from seed.
You can start tomatoes by placing two or three seeds into a small pot filled with fine compost. Cover the seeds with a light sprinkling of compost, then keep them warm and covered (using polyethylene or a propagator) until germination. Check regularly to make sure the seedlings do not dry out. Tomatoes need a temperature of around 21 C to germinate.
When deciding a variety of tomatoes to grow from seed, think about the size of the tomato. The large beefsteak varieties will need a longer, sunnier growing season to ripen than the smaller cherry type. This means where in the country you are gardening may be an important factor in deciding which type of tomato to grow. This is particularly true of tomatoes gown outside as opposed to in a greenhouse which provides a more sheltered growing environment.
As with all plants grown from seed, Tomato seedlings can become leggy if light levels are poor, which commonly occurs when seeds are sown early in the year. This is because the seedlings stretch towards the light, and if the seedlings are in grown in conditions where the light is uneven, or low light conditions, it will produce poor seedlings for potting on. Early in the year, tomatoes grown inside, and in particular on a windowsill, can easily become leggy. If you do grow on a windowsill where the light is predominately from one direction, turn the plant regularly. If the seedling turns out leggy, don't throw it away, but when potting on plant it deeper to overcome the problem.
When to sow Tomato seeds
There is the question of when to sow tomato seeds depends, in part, where in the UK you are growing your tomatoes and if you can keep the tomatoes under glass. The growing season for tomatoes varies around the UK. you are growing your crop.
I have grown in the North and the Midlands. The further south you are, the longer the growing season and the more light. Further south can germinate seed as early as late February, with good light conditions and grow through until around late October/early November. Further north and in areas where there is more cloud cover, the light is less good and delay sowing seeds until mid to late March. Tomatoes need good light and heat to get going.
Where ever you are for early sowings, when conditions are cool, it is essential to germinate tomatoes in a warm place and keep them warm. To germinate tomatoes needs a moist atmosphere, such as in a propagator. The seedlings will emerge after a few days and once the seedlings emerge, uncover and reduce heat. Seedlings (of any plants, not just tomatoes,) left for too long in a propagator can become will be floppy. If this happens, the seedling can be salvaged, video and tips about what to do with a leggy seedling
Follow the Sunday gardener's step-by-step advice about growing tomatoes to ensure you have a successful sweet tasty crop every harvest.
What are the easiest tomatoes to grow? Cordon or Bush?
How to pot on Tomatoes, dos and don'ts, and why it is important.
Hardening off tomatoes for growing outside
Pinching out Side Shoots on tomatoes
Common pest and diseases when growing tomatoes
Success with tomatoes
If you have found these tips helpful, why not buy the book: click here for details Success with Tomatoes The Sunday Gardener's guide to growing tomatoes, packed full of practical tips and helpful images, everything you need to know to grow a tasty crop. Was £6.20 now £4.20 plus postage UK only.
