Tomato seeds planting
Not only are tomatoes rich in flavor, but they're good for you too! Before you incorporate tomatoes into your home garden, you'll need to decide what types of seeds to plant. Here are some of the most popular kinds grown in gardens today.
- Cherry tomatoes are small in size, about 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. They are sweet, and are generally eaten whole. Cherry tomatoes make a nice addition to salads.
- Plum tomatoes are larger in size, ranging from 4 to 5 centimeters in diameter. They contain higher solid content and are often used for canning, tomato sauce, and for making paste.
- Beefsteak tomatoes, also called slicing tomatoes, grow up to at least 10 centimeters in diameter. They are often used in sandwich making.
Both organic and heirloom seeds are extremely popular right now. As commercial tomatoes continue to be faulted for their bland taste, more home gardeners are turning to heirloom tomatoes, which are prized for their rich flavor and texture.
Some common heirloom cultivars of the three categories of tomatoes include Big Boy, Brandywine, Burpee, Early Girl, Gardener's Delight, Juliet, Roma, Sweet 100, Uglyripe, and Yellow Pear.
Seed starting tips
Once you have chosen tomato seeds to plant, follow these tips. They work great for just about any heirloom variety of tomato.
- Tomato seeds should be sown indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Planting seeds outdoors means you run the risk of either the plants not surviving cold weather or a decrease in production (if they survive).
- Plant seeds in seed starting soil, rather than soil intended for mature plants. To prepare soil for planting, mix it with a little water until it is moist.
- Separate tomato seeds by variety, placing each kind in its own container. The container can be something as economical as a cardboard milk or juice container (which has been thoroughly cleaned), or a seed-starting tray or miniature greenhouse, available at hardware stores or nurseries. Mark containers with seed type.
- Plant tomatoes seeds 1/4-inch deep in the starting soil. Gently press down on the surface.
- Cover tomato containers with plastic. This helps to ensure that seeds stay moist while the germination process takes place. Depending on the variety, seeds should germinate in approximately 10 to 14 days.
- Provide seedlings with a light source, once they have sprouted. Both grow lights and sunny window sills work well for this. Make sure seedlings receive 14 to 16 hours of sunlight a day. If using a grow light, it can be set on a timer to ensure proper amount of light. Place light within 6 inches of the seedlings.