Sowing tomatoes: timing, temperature & procedure

Growing tomatoes starts early in the year. We show what needs to be considered and which substrate is best suited for growing tomato plants.

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are the absolute favorites of many hobby gardeners. In summer, tomato plants adorn the vegetable patches and house walls with their grass-green leaves and colorful fruits in many gardens. But in order to be able to grow tomatoes successfully in your own garden, the seeds must first be sown. Preferring your own tomatoes is not only worthwhile for garden owners, but also for balcony gardeners. With a little space on the window sill, small seedlings will soon grow towards the sun. This article provides instructions and helpful tips on how to sow tomato seeds successfully.

Sowing tomatoes: when is the right time?

The right time to sow tomato seeds is between late February and late March. In May, decent young plants can be planted in the greenhouse or bed. Tomatoes are vegetables that have a long cultivation time. Moving forward gives the plants in the house a head start, while it is still far too cold outside for the warmth-loving sun worshipers. Tomatoes that are sown too early tend to spoil quickly, which means that they develop very long shoots and often fall over because the sun does not yet have enough power to supply them adequately. Tomatoes that are sown too late do not develop fruits until late, which may not ripen by autumn.

Sowing tomatoes: temperature and location

To give preference to tomatoes, it is best to choose a warm and light window sill. For the small tomato seedlings are Light and warmth are particularly important. the The germination temperature for tomatoes should be between 20 and 22 ° C. In this way, the first seeds often germinate after just a few days. However, there are also solutions for dark and cool corners: LED lighting especially for plants can do that Represent the color spectrum that is important for the tomato fairly well and prevents the typical fermentation through Lack of light. A heating mat keeps the roots of the tomato plants warm even on cooler nights and stimulates the seeds to germinate more quickly.

Step-by-step instructions for sowing tomatoes

When sowing tomato seeds, you should first decide on a suitable container. Here you can either use plastic multi-plates or use them alternative seed pots set. An old egg carton or biodegradable pots made of coconut substrate are suitable for this, for example, but other vessels can also be visually impressive. Since tomato plants are pricked out only a few weeks after sowing, small growing containers with little soil volume are also ideal. A suitable seed compost for tomatoes must be permeable, water-storing and low in nutrients so as not to damage the tender roots. A potting soil that is low in salt and nutrients, like ours Plantura organic herb & seed compost, is ideal for this. Lightly compact the substrate with your fingers and refill the soil again. Press the surface a little and place the tomato seeds on top. The seeds are now covered with about 0.5 cm of soil. It is advisable to use stick-in labels or similar so that you can also later know which tomato variety you have sown. Writing with pencil or waterproof felt markers can also survive repotting and watering.

Now something has to be watered to stimulate germination. It is important that from this point on the earth is always slightly damp, but never wet. The freshly sprouted, tender roots do not tolerate drying out at this stage. However, if the soil is wet for days, the seeds and roots can rot. It is therefore important to avoid both drought and extreme wetness. A cover made of transparent film or a plastic hood help to maintain a high level of humidity and reduce evaporation from the earth. This means that watering does not have to be carried out as often and it is easier for the seedlings to germinate and remove the seed coat. Also a small seed greenhouse or a self-made one Mini greenhouse are suitable for this. After 3 - 10 days, depending on the type and age of the seeds, the first plantlets including cotyledons will appear.

Sowing tomatoes: instructions at a glance

• Fill the sowing container (multi-plates, pots or an alternative container such as an egg carton) with low-nutrient sowing soil, compress it slightly and refill it again.
• Spread seeds superficially, with approx. Cover 0.5 cm of soil and press down.
• Water the soil and seeds lightly and keep them moist in the future.
• Place in a warm, bright location (preferably a window sill), alternatively illuminate with special plant LEDs.
• Transparent cover, mini greenhouse and heating mat accelerate germination.

tip: Sowing tomatoes is even easier with our Plantura vegetable growing kit. It contains everything you need to successfully grow vegetables - seeds, growing pots, substrate, plant labels and a reusable mini greenhouse. In addition to tomatoes, you can also sow radishes, chard, carrots and beetroot with the vegetable set.

After a few days to weeks, the tomato seedling will grow and should be transferred to more nutrient-rich soil. We'll give tips on how to do it Prick and plant tomatoes.