Growing Tomatoes Information to Help Decide to Grow Tomato Plants From Seeds Or Seedlings!
In this article I will provide some growing tomatoes information that may help you decide to grow tomato plants either from seeds or seedlings.
Let me show you the difference and decide for yourself which one is more convenient to you.
Growing tomatoes from seeds is quite challenging and time consuming compared to tomato seedlings and it also needs deliberate planning.
Let me start showing you how to grow tomato seeds.
Plant your seeds indoors in small pots or flat trays about ¼ inches deep for about 6 - 8 weeks.
You may use a sterile seed-starting mix which usually is composed of peat moss vermiculite and perlite.
Combine the mix with warm water to bring it to a useable state.
Sprinkle it with water to moisten the soil mix.
Avoid over watering the seeds as well as letting them dry out.
Do this consistently until germination becomes visible.
You may cover your tray with plastic to keep the moisture in the soil.
Germination is faster and more efficient if tomato seeds are grown at less than 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
It usually takes 5-10 days.
It is advisable that you place your growing tomato seeds on window sills to get the sunny warmth of the sun.
The first thing you will see when seedlings have germinated is the baby or cotyledon leaves.
When leaves begin to sprout make sure to remove the plastic cover of the tray.
You are now ready to transplant your growing tomato seedlings when you see about six leaves.
You may transfer your seedlings in an outdoor garden or in larger containers depending on where you want to do your tomato gardening.
To draw up the tomato seedlings from the original tray or pot gently lift the seedlings by the cotyledon leaves and not the stems.
The stems at this stage are still very fragile.
On the other hand all these steps are skipped if you decide on growing tomato seedlings.
Tomato seedlings can be bought at your local nursery stores.
You may choose from among the varieties of tomatoes available.
There are the determinate kinds which will grow and ripen at one time and then stops or the indeterminate kind which will continue to grow and bear fruit.
When the weather is warm and danger of frost has passed you may now start planting tomato seedlings in your outdoor garden or large pots or in hanging containers.
Tomato seedlings must be planted 12 - 24 inches apart if you are planting determinate type of tomato.
However if your are planting indeterminate tomatoes, the adequate distance should be 24-36 inches apart to allow room for roots to expand and grow to have a sturdy stem foundation.
Make sure that the soil is rich and well drained and must not have too much nitrogen content in it.
Ensure that the growing tomato plant gets sufficient and evenly spread sunlight.
Remember that growth of tomato plants is directed towards the sunlight.
Plants that are not exposed to sunlight tend to bend and may result to growing tomatoes blossom end rot.
The Tomato plant also tends to grow leafy and in order to avoid tomato diseases prune excess leaves and non-bearing fruit stems.
It will also help in eliminating pests and other bacteria.
Pruning excess leaves can also allow sunlight to penetrate deeply to all parts of the growing tomato plant.
However do not prune leaves excessively the plant loses its chance to allow photosynthesis of the leaves which gives the sweet flavor of your tomato fruit crops.
Now that you have all the growing tomatoes information you need, you can weigh which gardening suits you best.
Should you grow tomatoes from seeds or seedlings? Either way you will have the same succulent and fresh produce if the process is conscientiously followed.
Let me show you the difference and decide for yourself which one is more convenient to you.
Growing tomatoes from seeds is quite challenging and time consuming compared to tomato seedlings and it also needs deliberate planning.
Let me start showing you how to grow tomato seeds.
Plant your seeds indoors in small pots or flat trays about ¼ inches deep for about 6 - 8 weeks.
You may use a sterile seed-starting mix which usually is composed of peat moss vermiculite and perlite.
Combine the mix with warm water to bring it to a useable state.
Sprinkle it with water to moisten the soil mix.
Avoid over watering the seeds as well as letting them dry out.
Do this consistently until germination becomes visible.
You may cover your tray with plastic to keep the moisture in the soil.
Germination is faster and more efficient if tomato seeds are grown at less than 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
It usually takes 5-10 days.
It is advisable that you place your growing tomato seeds on window sills to get the sunny warmth of the sun.
The first thing you will see when seedlings have germinated is the baby or cotyledon leaves.
When leaves begin to sprout make sure to remove the plastic cover of the tray.
You are now ready to transplant your growing tomato seedlings when you see about six leaves.
You may transfer your seedlings in an outdoor garden or in larger containers depending on where you want to do your tomato gardening.
To draw up the tomato seedlings from the original tray or pot gently lift the seedlings by the cotyledon leaves and not the stems.
The stems at this stage are still very fragile.
On the other hand all these steps are skipped if you decide on growing tomato seedlings.
Tomato seedlings can be bought at your local nursery stores.
You may choose from among the varieties of tomatoes available.
There are the determinate kinds which will grow and ripen at one time and then stops or the indeterminate kind which will continue to grow and bear fruit.
When the weather is warm and danger of frost has passed you may now start planting tomato seedlings in your outdoor garden or large pots or in hanging containers.
Tomato seedlings must be planted 12 - 24 inches apart if you are planting determinate type of tomato.
However if your are planting indeterminate tomatoes, the adequate distance should be 24-36 inches apart to allow room for roots to expand and grow to have a sturdy stem foundation.
Make sure that the soil is rich and well drained and must not have too much nitrogen content in it.
Ensure that the growing tomato plant gets sufficient and evenly spread sunlight.
Remember that growth of tomato plants is directed towards the sunlight.
Plants that are not exposed to sunlight tend to bend and may result to growing tomatoes blossom end rot.
The Tomato plant also tends to grow leafy and in order to avoid tomato diseases prune excess leaves and non-bearing fruit stems.
It will also help in eliminating pests and other bacteria.
Pruning excess leaves can also allow sunlight to penetrate deeply to all parts of the growing tomato plant.
However do not prune leaves excessively the plant loses its chance to allow photosynthesis of the leaves which gives the sweet flavor of your tomato fruit crops.
Now that you have all the growing tomatoes information you need, you can weigh which gardening suits you best.
Should you grow tomatoes from seeds or seedlings? Either way you will have the same succulent and fresh produce if the process is conscientiously followed.