How to Transplant Tomato Seedlings
Are you hoping to grow a garden this year? One of the first plants I would recommend trying is the tomato plant. The yield is typically quite plentiful and the fruit is very multi-functional – from salads to sauces thus, making the tomato plant one of my personal favorites.
But, how do you do it?
It’s actually easier than you might think. Using a seed starting container like this one below
Carefully fill slots with dirt {I prefer an organic starter}
Then, simply take your tomato seeds {preferably non-GMO, non-hybrid, organic} I like to buy mine here whenever possible.
Carefully water seeds {try not to over water…remember the seeds are just tiny at this point and don’t require a full fledged flooding}, if your greenhouse seed starting tray has a lid – cover and place in a sunny window. If you do not have a lid, you may opt to cover with plastic wrap to lock in heat until sprouting occurs. Water daily and wait for the sprouting to begin.
As your seedlings start to sprout and develop {2-3 leaves} it is time to separate and transplant into a bigger pot. If you planted several seeds in one cell of your original seed starting tray you will either have to 1) separate the new tomato sprouts 2) cut the weaker of the two plants to allow optimal growth {if too many plants are planted in the same cell and not eliminated they will become root bound and will not be able to get the nutrients they need.}
So, you’re asking is it totally necessary to eliminate a perfectly good sprout- and, the answer is yes! You must separate or eliminate the weak ones…. {FYI chickens love the little sprouted seedlings this makes the heartache of plucking perfectly good little spouts a little easier – at least then they aren’t going to waste.}
Ok., now the fun part – carefully take your ‘chosen’ seedlings out of their original seedling tray – transferring them to a pre filled larger pot
like this –>
Now, see my seedlings below – do you see all that ‘fuzzy’ looking stuff on the stem? When transplanting your seedlings into the larger pots {like the ones above} you will want to completely cover up all that ‘fuzz’ {yes, that’s the technical term..LOL}. Cover with dirt up to the leaves. As your seedling begins to grow larger all of that ‘fuzz’ will become new roots – pretty amazing, right? Want to see how I did mine? You can watch the video HERE
Not quite ready to start your garden PIN THIS post for later!