Transplanting Tomato Seedlings

It is Jan. and the snow is still on the ground. I am going to start planting my tomato seeds. Here I am using Jiffy 7 peat pellets which is a combination of the best growing media (sterile sphagnum) with a small amount of fertilizer contained by a neutral plastic net which allows maximum root penetration. This compressed pellet will expand to a height of 2 1/8" when set in water. Then you can go ahead and put your seeds in. I usually put 3-4 seeds to each Jiffy.

The tomato's are up now and have their true leaves on. I have planted Beefmaster an extremely large 20 oz. Italian Beefsteak with an outstanding taste, my husband and B & B guests love them. Then there is Subarctic because they take 48 days and is the earliest fruited type for far north regions. Plants set 2 1/2 oz. scarlet 2"round fruit. Tumbler my favorite patio type also 48 days. Extremely early determination they are excellent for hanging baskets. Masses of 1 1/4" bright red round, sweet fruit they are a must.

Now it's time to transplant your tomato plants into a pot by placing them on just a little bit of your potting soil covering the base of your pot.



While holding your tomato plant upright gently continue filling your pot with soil around your plant until it is just below the leaves. The reason I plant them so deep in the soil is because I want them to grow a good root system. You can cover their stem with dirt up to about 75% and this will encourage them to produce new roots all up the buried stem and enhance their development.



Mission accomplished, now I have a head start on spring and this will allow me to harvest fresh tomatoes earlier than if I had to wait until the middle of April which is the beginning of our planting season in the greenhouse.



I better hurry and get my tender little seedlings back indoors to their sunny windowsill, for it is very cold and the snow is still on the ground.