Planting Tomato Seedlings

I have generally had tomatoes do very well in the past. Last year, I started planting them from seed indoors before planting outside. They started to look sickly, but did very well as soon as they were planted in the dirt! I found that using organic fertilizer this year also helped them to be able to stay in the tiny seed starting containers for longer while continuing to grow before they could be planted outside. Even if you purchased your tomato seedlings from a local greenhouse, this post applies to you! I also purchased a few seedlings because I feel it brings me luck! I figured I would share a few tips and tricks that I have found helpful when planting my tomato seedlings into the ground.

It’s always good to use the tiller or somehow cultivate/loosen the soil. Toss out any weeds so they don’t take root again.

I was always taught by my dad and grandma to dig nice deep holes to put the tomato in. Then make sure it is covered up enough so that the bottom leaves are buried under the dirt. They learned this from my grandma’s mom, so it has been passed down for many generations. I’m assuming it has to do with making sure they can get a really strong root system.

It is recommended to plant tomato seedlings 3-4 feet apart. I tend to plant way more than necessary, so I usually end up spacing mine around 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart. They still do well, but sometimes they start to fall over onto each other and the bottom leaves can yellow from lack of sun. However, they still produce well!

I have used both tomato cages and stakes with ties to try to keep tomato plants upright. When they tip, the tomatoes touch the ground and will rot more quickly. Tomato cages have worked best for me, but the stakes work as well. I find it time consuming to continuously tie the main stem to the stake. I had a couple of stakes break last year due to how heavy the tomato fruit got. Stakes are, however, much more budget friendly!

I like to water my seedling right after I finish planting. When using a watering can, I water each for about ten seconds. If you use a sprinkler, water until there are a few puddles starting to form. Usually this takes about 30 minutes. Then, it’s important to water fairly frequently. Obviously how often you water will depend on the weather. When in doubt, test the ground by digging a small hole with your finger. If it dry an inch down, it’s a good idea to water.

Hoping to have an awesome tomato crop again this year! I have big plans for them! I hope you found some of these tips and tricks helpful! Do you have any other tips or tricks?