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 6 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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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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