When Should I Start Tomatoes Indoors?

The best way to get a head start on growing tomatoes is to start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost date in your region. Whether you’re growing cherry tomatoes or hot peppers, visit your local garden center to pick up supplies and seeds.

Do tomato seeds have to be started indoors?

Starting seeds indoors is optional with many vegetables, but tomato seeds need a constant soil temperature of at least 60 degrees, and preferably 80 degrees, to germinate.

Is it too early to start tomato seeds?

A: The short answer is yes; it is way too early to start tomatoes. Tomatoes are generally started about six weeks before the last local frost date. If, however, you have a greenhouse, solarium or other warm area, you can start tomatoes very early and have large plants for setting out this spring.

How cold can tomato starts tolerate?

Low Temperatures
Although tomato plants can survive temperatures down to 33 degrees Fahrenheit, they show problems when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service.

What month do you start tomato seeds?

Plant your tomato seedlings outdoors 1-2 weeks after the last frost date. Waiting longer to plant after the last frost date will reduce the chance of losing your tomato crop to freeze and will allow the ground to warm – which is the kind of environment in which tomatoes do best!

Do tomato seeds need darkness to germinate?

When starting seeds, the temperature indoors should be 70-80 degrees. The growing mix should be moist, but not wet, to aid germination. Seeds don’t need light to germinate, although after germination, you should ideally give the seedlings 14 or more hours of light a day.

When should I start my seeds indoors chart?

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. Your packet of seeds will often list when the seeds should be started indoors. For example, it may say, “start indoors 8 weeks before last expected frost date in your area.”

What size pots to start tomatoes in?

Choose the Right Pot
Those seedlings may look small now, but a full-grown tomato plant needs a lot of space for a strong root system. For maximum production, the ideal pot size is 18-inch diameter for determinate tomatoes and 24-inch diameter for indeterminate tomatoes.

What happens if you plant tomatoes too early indoors?

Seeds sown too early will result in bigger plants…. which then need to be potted up into bigger containers… which will quickly take over your seed starting area/house and cost you more money is potting soil, organic fertilizer and pots.

Is March too late to start seeds?

Yep, you can start many seeds throughout the spring/summer/fall season! So it’s really never too late to start seeds. It is good to succession sow seeds for radishes, Little Gem lettuce, bunching onions, spinach, cabbages, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, cilantro, and even the fast growing zucchini.

Can I plant tomatoes in February?

For cooler areas, February is a great time to sow your tomatoes and peppers. You should start drawing out your garden for all the vegetables you want to grow. In late February, there are several cool weather vegetables you can directly sow out in the garden.

Is April too late to start tomato seeds?

Is it too late to start tomatoes? Definitely not. You can plant tomato seeds anytime in the spring.

When can you put tomato plants in an unheated greenhouse?

In an unheated propagator or unheated greenhouse – sow late February to early March. When planting tomato seeds outdoors – sow late March to early April.

What temperature kills tomato seedlings?

Temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit will readily kill tomato seedlings. Daytime temperatures below 55 degrees will stunt growing tomatoes and decease tomato yield. If daytime temperatures drop below 50 degrees, tomato plants will survive but not yield tomatoes.

Is 40 degrees too cold for tomatoes?

Although mature plants might survive light frosts, temperatures below 40 F damage flower and fruit production, making tomatoes perennial only in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 12 and up.

How long does it take tomatoes to grow from seed?

Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety (see more about varieties below). Due to their relatively long growing season requirements (and late planting date), most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather has warmed up in spring.

How long does it take for tomato seeds to germinate indoors?

5-6 days
Tomato seeds should germinate within 5-6 days if you can keep the soil temperature around 80º F. Peppers take a little longer with a little higher temperature (7-8 days at 85º F). Remember this is soil temperature, not ambient temperature.

How many tomato seeds do you put in one hole?

How many tomato seeds should I plant per hole? It’s ideal to plant two seeds per hole, the extra seed will work as an insurance when the other seeds fails to sprout.

Should you soak tomato seeds before planting?

ANSWER: Soaking your tomato seeds before planting, or letting them sprout on a damp paper towel, can help increase the rate of successful germination, resulting in more healthy plants that make it to your garden.

What is the fastest way to germinate tomato seeds?

What is this? To germinate tomato seeds on a paper towel, wet the paper towel until it is damp (not soaking wet). Then, lay out the tomato seeds so that they are separated (not touching). Be sure to keep the paper towel and seeds in a warm place, to encourage faster germination and higher germination rates.

What seeds should I start indoors in March?

Cool-season crops that are the easiest to start from seed indoors are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, and lettuce. Warm-season crops to start indoors are beans, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, tomatoes, and squash.