Tomato Phases

Heres to Tomatoes

Growing tomatoes from seed is not a one step process. In the past I’ve bought tomatoes as established plants, and then transferred them to the ground. This year, I’m growing them from seeds. Over the past few months, they’ve had lots of homes and identities. They’ve been tiny seeds, little green leaves, leggy stems, and now, hopefully, the beginning of actual tomato plants. I’m trying a few different methods this year, and by the end of the season I’ll know whether starting them indoors was worth it.

First phase: seeds in trays.

I sowed hundreds of tomato seeds into these tiny cells and gave them lots of water and light. I used Coast of Maine potting soil, and bought my seeds from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Sowing them was fun and exciting. I loved checking on them every morning and night to see what had happened. Once the weather started warming up, I dragged them outside for short stretches to introduce them to real sunlight and cool air.

Second phase: from trays to pots.

We planted a lot this year so I saved all the plastic containers I could. I transferred them to these bigger pots where they’ll live for the next 2 weeks before finally touching down to the ground. This phase was recommended to me by another gardener, and a crucial step, apparently. This phase gives them the opportunity to grow bigger, stronger roots, that way once they go into the ground they’ll almost guarantee survival. They live outside now since there’s almost no chance of a frost.

Third phase: their forever home. Once the plants are strong enough, I’ll move them into the tomato garden where they’ll hopefully become productive tomato plants ;)