This morning I woke up at 4 am to plant my tomato seeds. Yes, I am a total weirdo. But that’s okay, because I’ve been planting tomato seeds on February 1st ever since I can remember. Just not a 4 am. I just couldn’t sleep last night thinking about them.
There has been only 1 year I didn’t get my tomatoes seeds planted early, and that was last year. I waited until March 1st, and totally regretted it. Partly because by the time I was ready to transplant the tomato plants to the garden they were not as large as I had wanted them, and also because The Girl and I went on a last minute vacation and the Handsome Husband killed off quite a few of my plants. It was too late in the season to re-plant, and I was stuck buying other peoples tomato plants at Farmers Markets and various sales around town. I was not happy.
Late Spring can be unpredictable here in the Pacific Northwest, but I typically like to start hardening off my tomato plants around the second week in April. Luckily, this year I have a greenhouse so I can move them out of the house and behind glass walls before the tomato plants take over the inside of our home.
If you don’t have the space, or the option of moving tomato plants outside to a protected area, you may want to wait a few weeks before you plant your tomato seeds.
Go HERE for the list of tomato seeds I’m growing this year
Brief description: Vegetable or fruit? While tomato is technically a fruit, many still consider it a veggie in the culinary world.
Where to Plant Tomato: Tomatoes {depending on the variety} can be planted in raised beds, garden beds, hanging baskets, and containers. I will pretty much plant them anywhere that has good soil. Because really, is it possible to have too many tomato plants? I think not.
Planting Seeds: Plant seeds about 1/8″ deep. You can plant 2 -3 seeds in each pot and thin out to one when they are about 2″ tall. Tomatoes need quite a bit of light to start, so make sure to place starts in a sunny location or use a grow light. After 8 weeks, tomatoes should be ready to transplant outside {if the weather has warmed up a bit}. Make sure to ‘harden off’ your plants, by introducing them to the outdoors gradually. Leave them out during the day and bring them in at night for the first week or so. Space about 24″ apart when transplanting.
Growing Tips: Trim leaves up at the base of the plant and be careful not to let dirt splash up onto your tomato plants when you water–this will prevent a lot a fungus problems. Also, water regularly and deeply.
How to Harvest: Harvest tomatoes when they are firm and bright orange to red {they may still have a little yellow around the stem}. Pluck fruit off the vine with your fingers.
My Favorite Tomato recipes:
Heirloom Tomato, Corn and Avocado Salad
Storage Tip: Never store tomatoes in the fridge. They lose their nutritional value and their flavor. Try to store right around 55 degrees.
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