Transplanting Tomato Seedlings

When tomato seeds germinate they initially have seed leaves that are different from the true leaves they get later.

Start your tomatoes in mid-March on a heating pad under a plastic cover. Cover seed and water lightly. It takes takes 2-3 weeks of growing time to get seedlings ready to transplant into their own pots.

Tomato seedlings are ready to transplant when they have their first set of true leaves.

#1 Wait at least three weeks as your tomato seeds germinate and grow their first set of true leaves. At this stage they are ready to move up to a bigger pot.

Note the soft soil and bright white roots. These young seedlings are at the perfect stage for transplanting

#2 Let the pots dry a bit so the soil is easy to work and then gently pull the plants apart, handling them only by their leaves, not their stems. Light soil, like promix, works best for transplanting. As you pull each plant out of the soil make sure the root will fit into the pot. If it won’t trim the root. You never want to pile up roots in the pot. It is better if it fits perfectly. If you like you can use an organic slow-release fertilizer to mix into the soil at transplant time. I like a fertilizer with very little nitrogen and plenty of Calcium.

I add fertilizer and lightly fill the pots before I begin to transplant my seedlings. This speeds things up a lot.

#3 Use warm tap water to completely saturate soil after plants are installed into the 4″ pots.  It will be at least another week before the small plants need more water or care. They can be grown on under lights or in a greenhouse as long as temperatures don’t dip below zero. Remember tomatoes are one of the few plants that can be buried up to their necks so don’t be shy and add extra soil as needed. 

Remember to label and water each pot carefully. Honestly, you will never be able to tell them apart once they are out of their tray.

4) Now write it all down in your journal unless you seriously think you will remember what you did next year!

Gardeners can do their own myth-busting by keeping records of their own gardens!