Quick Answer: When to start tomato seeds indoors?

What month do you start tomato seeds?

Generally, the time to start your seeds is about 6- 8 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area, planting the seedlings outdoors about 2 weeks after that date.

What month do you start seeds indoors?

When to Start Seeds Indoors As a general rule, most annual vegetables should be sown indoors about six weeks before the last frost in your area. See local frost dates.

When should tomato seedlings be potted on?

When should you repot tomato seedlings? Tomato seedlings are ready to be transplanted when they are at least 3 inches tall, and have their first true leaves, which are the second and subsequent sets of leaves that appear.

Is it too late to start tomato seeds indoors?

Start Tomato Seeds Indoors If you have a shorter growing season (like in the West, where spring frosts last late into May/June, and fall frosts come early in September/October, then it’s good to start tomatoes indoors early in March/April to get them growing before transplanting outdoors.

Should I soak tomato seeds before planting?

Simply soak seeds in warm water the night before you’ll be planting them to soften the hull of the seeds and help the sprout break the seal. To germinate tomato seeds on a paper towel, moisten a single paper towel so that it’s damp but not soaked.

How long does it take tomatoes to grow from seed?

Growing tomatoes from seed takes about six to eight weeks from sowing to transplanting. Starting seeds indoors too early results in leggy, overgrown seedlings.

What seeds should you not start indoors?

One way to get a head start on spring gardening is by starting seeds indoors between late February and April (depending on your area’s climate). This provides gardeners with homegrown seedlings to transplant after the last frost. Seeds that shouldn’t be started indoors Bean. Beet. Carrot. Corn.

What is the best way to start seeds indoors?

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors Purchase your seeds from a trusted source. Pot with seed- starting mix. Make sure your containers have drainage holes. Plant seeds at the proper depth. After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. Keep seed- starting mix moist. As soon as seedlings emerge, place pots in a bright location.

Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?

You can use egg cartons as a seed- starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

How often should I water tomato seeds?

Water newly planted tomatoes well to make sure soil is moist and ideal for growing. Early in the growing season, watering plants daily in the morning. As temperatures increase, you might need to water tomato plants twice a day. Garden tomatoes typically require 1-2 inches of water a week.

How do you transplant tomato seedlings to bigger pots?

How to transplant tomatoes in pots (a second time) Step 1: Start with clean pots and fresh potting soil. Step 2: Pinch off the lowest sets of leaves. Step 3: Loosen the root ball and place the tomato plant in an empty pot. Step 4: Fill the pot with potting soil. Step 5: Water the tomato plant deeply.

How Big Should tomato seedlings be before transplanting?

Tomatoes are ready for transplanting into the garden when the seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall, and the nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees.

Is April too late to start tomato seeds?

To have seedlings that you can plant outside in the middle of May, you can start seeds for tomatoes and peppers around the first week of April, Yadon said. They will plant some tomato seeds on March 28, but most won’t be started until April 7. Don’t start your seeds too early.

Do tomato seeds need light to germinate?

Tomato seeds can be sown directly outdoors but may not have enough time to grow to full size and produce, depending on your climate. Seeds don’t need light to germinate, although after germination, you should ideally give the seedlings 14 or more hours of light a day.

Why are my tomato seeds not germinating?

The soil was too wet or too dry: Too dry, and your seeds won’t germinate. If the soil surface begins to dry out, simply stand the seed tray in water until the surface becomes moist – but be sure to let it drain again.