repot your tomatoes

Any tomato seedlings that have developed their first real set of leaves should be repotted into bigger containers to keep them happy.  Mine already had roots sticking out the bottom of the cell packs.  Choose the strongest seedlings, and plant them deeper in their new pots.  Repot them at least one more time before they are ready to go outside, planting them deeper again.  This will minimize them getting too leggy from growing indoors, and the buried stem will send out new roots, helping the plant become stronger.

Don't you love the smell of tomato leaves?  Having tomato seedlings in the basement makes me feel like I am gardening already! 

Comments

[Amy]

The smell of tomato leaves is actually my very earliest memory - when I was about two years old! My grandparents had them growing in their backyard and the scent always brings back vivid memories. I was thinking of starting my tomatoes under my lights, and then thought maybe it was too early. Our last frost date is the usually around the May long weekend.

[Janice]

Nope, definately not too early. Our last frost date is around May long w/e too. Tomatoes need a long growing season so if you start seeds in May you probably won't get many, if any, tomatoes before fall frost.
Early March is better, but it is not too late. I just started some more yesterday because I am a sucker for seeds! I bought some "black cherry" heirloom seeds recently for fun - the kids love to pick cherry tomatoes and eat them right off the vine. I try to grow lots of different colours to make it even more fun. What a healthy and yummy snack!
Janice