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Growing Tomatoes from Seed: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey of growing your tomatoes from seed? This guide will walk you through the process, from sowing to transplanting, ensuring you’ll have delicious homegrown tomatoes in no time.

Timing is Everything

Start your tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area. To know when this is, research when the last frost date is for your growing area, and back up about 7 weeks to start your seeds indoors. For example, if your last frost date is April 15th then you should start your seeds indoors between February 18 – 25. From the time of planting the seed, tomatoes take roughly 90-110 days to grow and finish fruit. So if you start your seeds indoors, you can expect to pick tomatoes around June 8.

Carefully planning your seed start date ensures your seedlings will be ready for transplanting when the weather warms up and you will be enjoying tomatoes in early June.

Gathering Your Supplies

Before you begin, collect the following:

Sowing the Seeds

  1. Fill your containers with moistened seed starting mix, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top
  2. Plant 2-3 seeds per cell or container, 1/4 inch deep
  3. Gently cover the seeds with soil and mist the surface to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
  4. Label your containers with the variety and date sown
  5. Cover the containers with plastic wrap or a clear dome to retain moisture

Germination and Early Care

Place your seed trays in a warm location (75-85°F) for optimal germination

Once seedlings emerge, usually within 7-10 days, remove the cover and move them to a bright spot or under grow lights.

Thinning and Transplanting

When seedlings develop their first true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell by snipping off the weaker seedlings at soil level

As they grow, transplant them into larger containers if needed.

Preparing for the Garden

About a week before transplanting outdoors, begin hardening off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions

Planting in the Garden

  1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.
  2. Dig deep holes and mix in some compost and slow-release fertilizer.
  3. Remove the lower leaves from your seedlings and plant them deeply, burying the stem up to the lowest remaining leaves
  4. Water thoroughly and mulch around the plants to retain moisture.

Ongoing Care

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying juicy, homegrown tomatoes. Remember, gardening is a learning process, so don’t be discouraged if you face challenges. With patience and care, you’ll soon be harvesting your own delicious tomatoes straight from the vine.

Cucumbers are a favorite summer treat and so easy to grow! This guide will walk you through the process, from sowing to transplanting, ensuring you’ll have delicious homegrown cucumbers in no time.

Timing is Everything

Start your cucumber seeds indoors 7 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area. To know when this is, research when the last frost date is for your growing area, and back up 7 weeks to start your seeds indoors. For example, if your last frost date is April 15th then you should start your seeds indoors between February 18 – 25. From the time of planting the seed, tomatoes take roughly 50-70 days to grow and finish fruit. So if you start your seeds indoors, you can expect to begin picking cucumbers around April 19.

Carefully planning your seed start date ensures your seedlings will be ready for transplanting when the weather warms up and you will be enjoying cucumbers as early as April.

Gathering Your Supplies

Before you begin, collect the following:

  • High-quality seed starting mix
  • Clean containers with drainage holes
  • Cucumber seeds of your choice
  • Labels
  • Spray bottle or watering can
  • Grow lights or a sunny window

Sowing the Seeds

  1. Fill your containers with moistened seed starting mix, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top
  2. Plant 2 seeds per cell or container, 1/2 inch – inch deep
  3. Gently cover the seeds with soil and mist the surface to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
  4. Label your containers with the variety and date sown
  5. Cover the containers with plastic wrap or a clear dome to retain moisture

Germination and Early Care

Place your seed trays in a warm location (75-85°F) for optimal germination

Once seedlings emerge, usually within 7-10 days, remove the cover and move them to a bright spot or under grow lights.

Thinning and Transplanting

When seedlings develop their first two true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell by snipping off the weaker seedlings at soil level.

As they grow, transplant them into 6 inch pots when roots appear at the bottom.

Preparing for the Garden

About a week before transplanting outdoors, begin hardening off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions

Planting in the Garden

  1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.
  2. Dig holes and mix in some compost and slow-release fertilizer.
  3. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
  4. Provide a trellis for vertical growth.
  5. Water thoroughly and mulch around the plants to retain moisture.

Ongoing Care

  • Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Support your plants with stakes or cages as they grow.
  • Feed with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
  • Monitor for pests and diseases, addressing issues promptly.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying delicious crisp cucumbers. Remember, gardening is a learning process, so don’t be discouraged if you face challenges. With patience and care, you’ll soon be harvesting your own delicious cucumbers and using them to make salads and eat in dips.

Preparation

Before planting, ensure you have the right conditions for successful carrot growth:
  • Choose a location with full sun to light shade
  • Prepare a soil bed that is loose, well-draining, and free of rocks and debris
  • Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8

Soil Preparation

  1. Turn the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches
  2. Remove all stones and clods that could cause carrots to grow malformed
  3. Add well-aged compost to improve soil texture
  4. Sprinkle bone meal across the bed (avoid adding manure, which can cause hairy roots)
  5. Water the bed deeply and let it sit for a day or two

Planting the Seeds

  1. Create shallow furrows about 1/4 inch deep
  2. Space rows 12-18 inches apart
  3. Sow seeds thinly and evenly:
    • Drop seeds by hand, spacing them about 1-3 inches apart
    • You can mix seeds with sand to help distribute them more evenly
       
  4. Lightly cover seeds with 1/4 inch of aged compost or potting soil
  5. Gently press down on the soil to ensure seed-soil contact

Care and Maintenance

  1. Keep soil consistently moist during germination
  2. Consider covering seeds with a thin layer of mulch like shredded cardboard to retain moisture
  3. Thin seedlings when they have 3-4 true leaves, spacing plants 2-3 inches apart
     
  4. Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 0-10-10)

Pro Tips

  • Plant carrots 3-5 weeks before the last frost date
  • Interplant with radish seeds to mark rows and prevent disturbing carrot seeds
  • For best results, use raised beds or deep containers at least 12 inches deep
Harvest Timing: Carrots are cool-season crops best grown in spring or fall to avoid summer heat, which can make them woody.
 
 
 
 

Kate Nichols and Rick DeBerry

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