Overview
Tomato plants will thrive on a sunny window sill or in a greenhouse, and may even be transplanted outside in the warmest months. You will need just two small pots to sow your tomato seeds; use a good quality seed compost and keep them in a bright place to ensure they germinate.
Do it:
January - April
At its best:
July - August
Takes just:
ten minutes to sow the seeds
How to do it
-
Fill two small pots with seed compost. Water the compost with tap water and leave it to drain. Don't use rainwater from a butt as it may contain bacteria, which can cause damping-off disease. -
Place approximately five seeds on the surface of the damp compost, spacing them evenly in the pot. Take your time, as this can be a fiddly job. Then sprinkle a thin, even layer of fine compost over the seeds, ensuring they're not disturbed. -
Cover each pot with clingfilm - creating a mini-propagator, which keeps the compost damp and aids germination. -
Label the pots and place them on a window sill in plenty of light. Aim to keep the room at
21°-25°C while the seeds germinate. -
Remove the rootball from the pot and gently separate each plant with a pencil. -
In a new pot containing multi-purpose compost, make planting holes with your pencil. Then, holding each seedling by its leaves, gently tease the roots into the planting hole. Firm the soil around each plant and water.
Comments and rating
Overall rating (from 11 ratings):
5 out of 5
Thank you. from pic 5 I can see my seedlings need a little longer before they are moved to individual pots.
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5 out of 5
This is the first time I've grown tomatoes from seed and I wasn't sure when I should transfer to pots. I was going to do this weekend and I now realise this would be too early. Thanks Joe!
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this is the first time using my dads greenhouse. he died early this year. found the help and tips i need to carry on doing what he done.
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4 out of 5
Didn't know about watering the compost before you sow the seeds. I grow my toms in a greenhouse, and usually put the 8week seedlings large tomato pots immediatly. Seems to work, but you'd need a greenhouse to do it.
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4 out of 5
I had some good success using one of these upside down planter things last season and will be using them again this forthcoming spring - http://www.practicalhomeandgarden.com/the-upside-down-tomato-garden
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4 out of 5
going to have a go at toms now i know this rough size of when to transplant
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Hello I'm wondering if you can help me? I have a propagator, which I have sowed marmande tomatoes, the propagator is in a greenhouse, and the temperature is at 15 Celsius, is this right?
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5 out of 5
I've already sown my "Gartenpearl" tomato seeds and I now have about a 1" seedlings. Gartenpearl tomato plants can also be grown in hanging baskets. Last year most of my tomato plants were effected by "blight", so this year I'm growing baskets tomatoes along with "Basil" to the white fly leave them alone....... I live in hope that this year I WILL get some decent tomatoes..... HAPPY GARDENING!!!! Scarlet1958
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5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Thanks Joe, I have sowed tomatoes and was looking for when to prick out. I would have done it too soon had I not watched your clip.
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5 out of 5
Thanks Joe. I will sow my Tomatoes like this from now on.
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5 out of 5
nowl know there l went wrong next year better. thank joe
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Tazzywazzy rated and commented on this article
08 February 2009
5 out of 5
I shall be trying that this year, brilliant idea thank you Joe
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