My garden file box includes this information for growing tomatoes. Your garden journal might include similar details and space for adding helpful tips as well. Don’t forget to record results, good or bad for next time.
Starting Tomatoes from Seed
Germination: 5-12 days
Optimal Temperature: 70 degrees
Seed Planting Time: March 15-30 indoors
-use extra vermiculite or perlite in the soil mix to prevent damping off (stem rotting at soil level)
-cover pots with plastic just until seeds germinate
-do not allow seedlings to become potbound, transplant to larger pots without touching stems
-transplant to garden after frost danger is past, setting plants in soil up to the first true leaves (new roots will grow on the stem to anchor the plant)
-mulch plants to prevent early blight infection from soil
-use stakes or cages to support plants and keep fruit off the soil
-as plants grow, remove suckers to restrict growth to main stem and stronger side stems
-water evenly -1″ per week (too wet or fluctuations may result in blossom end rot or cracks)
Additional Tomato Growing Tips
-sprinkle dry milk powder into transplant holes and occasionally onto soil around plants
-sprinkle Epson salts around plant base (brown leaf tips means too much food)
-warm soil with black plastic and plant through slits
-plant with yellow snapdragons (encourages bees for pollination) or marigolds (deter insects)
My favorite variety for little tomatoes is Sweet Millions. I always like to grow a large variety and a plum tomato too, for freezing and sauces. Keep a list of the varieties you try, and in the fall, don’t forget to jot down a note in your garden journal about your successes.
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