How to Successfully Grow Tomato Plants?

Tomatoes and their countless varieties around the world are the most cultivated fruits and vegetables globally, just after potatoes. Sauces, salads, ratatouille, or simply crunching during one of your watering sessions… tomatoes are consumed in various ways. But before we get back to it, we need to know when to sow them, how to do it, and how to obtain seeds for next year. Our tips for successfully sowing tomatoes.

When and at what temperature should tomato seeds be sown?

Sowing tomatoes means ensuring you taste different varieties, but especially much better than those bought at the market. The guarantee to rediscover the taste of good things and enjoy eating salads this summer…

There are many varieties of tomatoes to discover © CandusChambre with balcony

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When to sow tomato seeds?

It is preferable to start sowing tomatoes as early as possible, just like you would with eggplants: the longer they grow indoors, warm at home, the more resilient they will be when planted in the ground.

Tomato seeds should always be made at home, for obvious climate reasons, although they tend to produce earlier and earlier, thanks to “early” varieties.

You can start sowing from early February to late March.

What temperature for sowing tomato seeds?

Temperatures between 18 and 27 degrees are essential for your tomato seeds, which will appreciate warmth and a very sunny spot. Make sure your seedlings do not “burn” due to excessive exposure.

In what soil and where to transplant them

Once sunny days arrive, ideally from mid-April onwards and hoping there won’t be late frosts, plant your tomatoes in the ground in soil rich in organic matter and nitrogen.

Young tomato plant growing and mulched © Nadzeya Pakhomava

If you find your soil is too low in nitrogen, a handful of coarsely chopped nettles placed at the bottom of the planting hole will compensate for this deficiency throughout the season.

Feel free to plant them at the foot of a wall that will restore warmth to them at night and bury a good part of the stem which will thus develop more roots. Once the soil is well warmed by the sun, don’t forget to mulch!

Useful tip for successful tomato sowing

Once the first tomato seedlings have germinated, don’t shout victory just yet, as there can still be losses. Once the plants reach a few centimeters, put them outside occasionally (windowsill, etc.) so that the wind strengthens them.

Be careful not to leave them out too long in direct sunlight, or they may dry out and wilt.

Crop rotation — What to plant or sow after tomatoes?

You can sow and plant tomatoes in the same spot for several years. However, it is recommended not to exceed four years in the same location.

This is especially true if you are sowing or planting tomatoes under cover, where the soil is sheltered, and does not function as it does outside, which can encourage certain diseases.

As a general rule, for crop rotation, since the tomato is a very nutrient-rich plant, the soil can be left fallow after the harvest in September. While waiting to resume rotation in spring, spinach can be sown broadcast, or even peas or beans in soft areas.

How to successfully sow your tomatoes?

To germinate tomato seeds, the simplest way is to start by sowing in small trays or boxes. Anything can be used in such cases, as long as you pierce the bottom and have a cup underneath.

Sow several dozen seeds evenly distributed, then cover them with rich soil, like suitable potting soil. Count 3 to 4 seeds per tomato plant in the end.

Once the seedlings germinate, reach a few centimeters, and have at least 2 leaves, choose the most beautiful and vigorous ones to transplant. You can put them individually in buckets or use egg cartons, for example.

How to collect tomato seeds for next year’s sowing?

To create your own tomato plants, take a very vigorous fruit, even if it can be difficult to sacrifice one! Choose one of the first fruits to ripen, as they are always in better shape than the later ones: they will thus give you the strongest seeds.

Empty the tomato to recover the seeds. Let them soak in clear water before drying on a clean towel or paper towel. Once dried, place the seeds in a kraft paper bag or a jar – it is absolutely necessary that there is no moisture in the jar, otherwise the seeds will rot. Store in a dark place at room temperature.

Less certain and less effective, it is also possible to test direct sowing by letting the tomatoes rot in place in the fall. The seeds that germinate will be stronger against disease and drought. This is also a great way to explain the principle of sowing and germination to children.