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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] How to start seeds for tomatoes at home
  • Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:55:45 -0700


I strongly disagree with some of this advice. I'm starting Genovese
tomatoes and Italian frying peppers right now, no problems.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net
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How to start seeds for tomatoes at home
Feeling up to a challenge? Try growing tomatoes from seeds.
published Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 12:00 AM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2008936620_zhom28tomatoseed
grow.html

For many, there's nothing like the satisfaction of slicing into a juicy
tomato you've known since it was a seed. If you want to be along for the
ride as your tomatoes make the journey from tiny sprouts to sprawling
fruit-producers, here are the basics for starting the trip.

Timing is critical for starting tomato seeds. Because tomatoes are
semitropical, they can't go outdoors in the ground until the risk of frost
is past and the soil is warm enough to be hospitable. Check a local almanac
for the best timing.

Count back six to eight weeks for starting tomato seeds. Start too early,
and your plants could mope around indoors getting stalky. Here's how to get
started:

• Choose your pots: You can sow lots of seeds in shallow flats or trays
with many small cells and later transplant them to larger pots where they
have space to develop more roots. But those larger pots can take up a lot
of space.

I only need a few tomato plants, so I start out in 3- or 4-inch-diameter
pots and skip the transplanting step. I sow three seeds in each pot to be
sure one will make it.

Many special kits are sold for seed-starting, but you can use any
thoroughly clean, freely draining container (old cell packs, yogurt cups
with holes poked in the bottom, peat pots, newspaper pots). If you are
reusing containers, sterilize them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9
parts water, because tender seedlings are vulnerable to disease.

• Get the right soil: Sterile, lightweight seed-starting mix — not
garden soil or potting soil — is essential to deter diseases. Moisten the
soilless mix and fill the containers just below the brims. Tuck the seeds
in about 1/8 inch deep (a chopstick or pencil is useful for this). Set the
containers in a deep waterproof tray. Cover the whole thing with a plastic
bag to hold in moisture, but don't seal it up; you want some air to
circulate.

• Warm 'em up: Light isn't needed for the next part of the process. But a
gentle warmth is. There are special seed-starting mats to buy, or you can
germinate seeds on top of the refrigerator or dryer. I place mine on stacks
of books a few inches above my radiator. Find your warm place, and set your
tray there.

• Take a peek: Check the seeds every day. In 5 to 10 days you should see
tiny green sprouts. As soon as they appear, remove the bag or lid. Move the
seedlings under adjustable lights and keep the lights just a few inches
above the seedlings as they grow so they don't have to stretch.

• Water: Water the plants from the bottom by pouring ½ to 1 inch of
water into the tray. The water will rise through the soil and the roots
will grow down to get at it. Keep the soil moist but never soggy: That can
lead to a fungus disease called "damping off" that could kill all your
plants in a trice.

• Transplant and thin: If you planted in flats or little plugs, move the
best-looking seedlings to larger, deeper pots when the first little
leaflike structures that sprouted are followed by a set of true leaves.

If, like me, you planted three seeds in a larger pot, ruthlessly snip off
the two weakest-looking ones at soil level when they are about 3 inches
tall. (Don't yank them up, which might disturb the roots of the chosen
one.)

• Don't forget to feed: The seed provided nutrients to get the plants
started. But when they are about 3 weeks old, fertilize with a very weak
solution of water-soluble organic fertilizer. Do it again every couple of
weeks.

Moving day? By Mother's Day, or thereabouts, you will be itching to put
your plants in the ground. But weather is chancy. So remember what Mom told
you: Good things come to those who wait.






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