January Gardening
Brenda Hyde
December 22, 2009
Depending on where you live, it's time to start your tomato seeds indoors! You can grow heirloom varieties in so many varied colors, shapes and sizes that it's worth the extra effort. Seeds will keep for about 3 years if you store them in a cool place, so you don't have to use an entire packet. I'm going to start 2 or 3 varieties, but just a few of each one. Remember that some seeds may not germinate, or the seedlings may be week, so plant extra, and you can thin them to save the strong ones.
You will want to start your seeds 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a sterile potting mix. Moisten the soil a hour or two before you start planting. Also make sure you've washed and rinsed your flat or container in hot water. Cover the seeds lightly after pushing them in the 1/4 inch. Place the container in a plastic bag or cover with plastic.The seeds will germinate in about a week when the temperature is about 75 degrees-longer if it's cooler. A sunny window works well if you have room to place the containers there, otherwise you can use florescent lights and keep the room warm. One tidbit I just discovered is that you need to keep tomato seedlings away from ALL natural gas. Don't place them near a gas stove or furnace. Even a tiny amount can kill young plants.
Once the seeds germinate and sprout keep the temps around 70 degrees, remove the plastic and water regularly. When the second set of leaves appear on your seedlings transplant them to 4" peat pots, planting them a little deeper than they had been- in fact if they seem a little spindly to you then plant them quite deep-almost up to the leaves. Give them as much sun or light as possible and a little less water as they grow. . If you are using a florescent light keep it about 6 inches from the plants-and run it about 18 hours or so a day. Don't use a full strength fertilizer-cut it by half or use a natural one. I like using fish water from our fish tank to water. You can buy fish emulsion also.
Frugal notes: you don't need fancy flats with domes on them. You can use egg cartons, salad or bakery container, etc. Just make sure to poke holes for drainage and set them on trays!
MORE TOMATO TIPS:
We have more information and tomato recipes!
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