Sowing Tomato Seeds In Containers
Timing: The correct timing of seed sowing for tomatoes is an important factor in successful indoor seed starting. In winter months, overanxious gardeners may sow seeds too soon. Seedlings that are held indoors too long perform poorly once transplanted into the garden. The time it takes for seedlings to be ready for transplanting outdoors will vary.
As previosuly mentioned, plant tomato seeds indoors at the recommended number of weeks (indicated on the seed packet) prior to transplanting outdoors.
Acclimation: An acclimation period before placing seedlings directly into the permanent growing site must be included. However, readiness for outdoor planting will vary with how quickly germination occurs, the growth rate and weather conditions. Quality and quantity of light, temperature and nutrients affect the growth rate. Seed catalogs and packets provide information on days to germination and weeks needed to reach transplant size.
Fill Container: Put your selected starter pots into one of the water tight flats and then fill the pots with your starter soil till the soil is about a quarter of an inch from the brim of the pots. If you are not using starter pots, fill the container or flat to within 1/4 inch of the top of the container with moistened seed-starting medium.
Sowing Seeds
Use the following rules to sow tomato seed:
- Sow seeds by spacing them a 2 or 3 inches apart on top of the soil media and press them in. If no depth is specified on the seed packet, use the general rule of planting the seed at a depth twice the diameter of the seed. If you are planting in individual small pots, plant 3 or 4 seeds per pot. Make sure that no seeds are peeking out from the soil.
- TIP: When sowing in a tray or flat, sowing in rows is preferred over scattering seed. This method provides better air circulation than scattering of seed. When seedlings are crowded, they may become tall and spindly.
- To avoid the need to transplant seedlings from a seed flat to pots, you may sow seeds directly into cell packs or peat pots. Plant two or three seeds per cell or pot. When they germinate, remove the two less vigorous seedlings.
Watering Seeds After sowing seeds, keep the medium moist, not wet. Always water gently so as not to uncover the seeds. If a seed becomes exposed, recover it. To keep the medium moist, you may place the container in a plastic bag just large enough for the container. Seal the bag. The plastic bag keeps moisture in, but allows air exchange. The plastic bag method should not require any further watering until germination. Provide proper light and temperature conditions.
