Sowing tomato seeds outdoors in pots to then later transplant seedlings to garden soil is similar to sowing the seed indoors in pots with the exception that the pots are stored outside while the seed germinates.

When starting tomato seeds outdoors in pots, timing and position of the potted plants are the key factors to success. Keep the pots in the warmest part of the garden (against a house wall is ideal), where the planted pots will receive radiant heat from the home, will help to hasten germination and subsequent growth. Covering the plant with a transparent cover works well for protection against cold and heat retention.

Timing is the most difficult aspect of this method - keeping the plants under a transparent cover, and or against a house wall, will raise the temperature and permit earlier growing, but it is not an exact science. The basic rules of no frost and a minimum soil temperature of 60 degrees must be achieved. This can be difficult to do in regions farther north.

Growing Media For Starting Seeds Outdoors In Pots

Choose a medium with a loose, uniform, fine texture. Your local nursery and garden center may carry mixes labeled as "Premium Potting Mix", or "Professional Potiing Mix". Just make sure to avoid those cheap, dollar-a-bag, potting "soils" as they are usually to heavy and do not hold moisture evenly.

Container For Starting Seed Outdoors

Any recycled waterproof containers or flats are adequate for seed starting provided they are disinfested, have good drainage and are at least 2 inches deep. You can often find these at your local nursery and garden center - they might even give them to you!p>

If you plan on leaving the seedlings in the container grow throughout the season, clay or plastic pots work fine, so long as they are 5 gallons or more in size.

Whichever type of growing container or flat you use, they should have holes for drainage, and you'll have to have a way to control water that drains from the bottom of the plant pots.

Fill Container: Fill the flat, pots or large containers with potting mix until the soil is about a 1/4 inch from the brim of the top edge.