Starting Toms indoors

If you, like I am, are planning on planting MATURE tom plants outside in the garden, but want to start them indoors, now is the time if you are in Zone b.

The ideal time is 6-8 weeks before the last estimated frost date which, for me, is April 11th or so.

It is an estimate because some of you may remember when I posted a photo of my car and Earth Boxes which were invisible in the surprise April Fools Blizzard back in 1997 which dumped 3 feet of snow in just a few hours time!

It was mega!

So this week or next I will be seed starting my tomatoes for outside.

My flowers will be started the beginning of April.

Are YOU planning on indoor seed starting for outside this year, and what will you start?

[Sher]

I will probably buy a lot of my starts this year.  I really need to plant more perennials.

Mar 4, 2020 18:11:37 GMT -5 Sher said:

I will probably buy a lot of my starts this year.  I really need to plant more perennials.

I do that with my herb box.  and I meant to type 'perennials' in my previous post,which has been corrected.  Multi tasking.

[Shawn]

I believe I am in Zone 7a.  So I am guess I can start my tomato plants as well?  I wont be using a seed starter however UNLESS I find the bounty one in the garage.  Then I can but will only do a few of each variety that will be in the EB.

Question, do I have to cover all the holes I am not using?

well, the Bounty and SS6 seed starter has TONS of holes and I do not cover them.

Another way is to start them in seed starting mix in solo cups and just let them sit under a hood. But eventually they will need a tall light source.

I have started more in peat pods, but this cute gang of 4 is going into soil cups today!

[Sher]

Cute is right!  I love baby plants. They hold so much promise!

[Shawn]

This reminds me, I need to start my tomatoes for my EB.

now is the time! I got larger pots to put them in for deep deep planting. I want them patio size when they go out there.Right now they are in seed starter and solo cups. But I will change to soil and bigger pots up the road.

Did you ever find the Romas you wanted to grow

[Shawn]

No, I will look again later.  If not I will find something

Here are the toms I started in the Machine this year.

Since then they have been planted in starter mix in solo cups, and then transplanted again into larger pots with potting soil.

I did prune them in the centers as is evident by the new growth coming up in the centers. When they get taller, they will go into even taller pots and planted deeply to the bottom so as to put out tons of strong roots and strengthened  before going into the Earth Boxes. Side branches will be cut off...a trick learned from Praxxis55712 on his You Tube channel a while back.(I call him my garden Guru)

These are Better Boy toms.

[rckcs]

Hi everyone!
i joined about a year ago and have lurked and learned during that time.  I’ve come to a point where I need some specific help.
I decided to try an Earthbox this year.  I started my Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes in my Harvest.  They are growing well.  About 4-5”.  I felt like I need to transplant them and get them ready to plant in the EB in May.  I thought I could transplant into something bigger that I could ultimately transplant to my EB.  My idea was to use the lighting from my farm plus and place them in a tray under the lights.  I have a brown thumb so I’m worried about my watering ability.  I was going to buy a self watering tray from Burpee but they’re out till Aug.  lot of good that’s going to do me.  I see that Corinne uses solo cups but she’s a much better gardener than me so I need help about what I should

1. transplant them to
2. what kind of soil to buy
3. what is a safe way for me to water them

Thanks for reading my book!   😁

It really is not that difficult and you can do it.

You will need some pots..you can use solo cups or any kind of container that you can punch holes in the bottom for drainage.

You will need a soft soil like a seed starting mix or a potting soil or potting mix with some vermiculite so the soil is soft enough for the roots to grow..garden soil is too hard for the delicate plants.

When the plants are ready to be taken out of the AG(you will see roots dangling in the water) place just a wee bit of soil in the container and plant it DEEP. The deeper the plant, the more roots will grow.

I Water mine from the bottom initially....just let it sit in a pan of water and the soil will get moist. When my plants are taller, I water from the top when the pot feels light and when the top feels very dry.

You can tell when they are thirsty.Most soil already has nutrients for gentle feeding, so dont worry about nutrients.

Here is a great video from The Rusted Garden ..I watch his videos and find them great tutorials as well.

When it is warm outside, just place that entire root system, soil, sponge and all into the EB.

Hope this helps.

[rckcs]

That helps a lot, Corinne.  Thank you!

They have lots of roots already.  I moved them from my Harvest to my Farm Plus because I thought the light would be stronger since they’re really growing but they look a little weak tonight.  

I’m off to start collecting the things I need!

If they start flopping over, it is time for soil! How about window light as another source? in addition to using the tops of the AG decks? You could just turn off the pump and have the hood shining on them.?

But from what you said about them looking 'tired' even under the Farm Hood, that seems to say it is time for soil ..before the roots get all tangled up as well inside the water.

[Shawn]

I need to check mine.  I guess I need to find some solo cups

Any kind of party cups will do..the bigger the better and as long as you can punch a drainage hole in the bottom.

These are the ones I got, but they can be found in any store.

18 oz

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKKXVVM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can use any kind of plastic container, but if it is clear I would cover it to block light.

Also there are tons of DIY ideas..milk or juice cartons with the tops cut off are a great idea as well.Those are nice and deep!

[rckcs]

HiCorinne, I have some new, probably dumb, questions.  I got my solo cups and some Miracle Gro potting soil.  I punched 3 holes in the bottom of each cup with a Philips screwdriver.  Does this sound OK?

i understand about planting the tomato plants deep.  When I plant them in the solo cups, tow. After them, do I leave them in a pan of water all the time or just for a certain amount of time?

thanks so much for your help!

Hey there!

First, let me say that I am by no means an expert, but just learning as I go.

If you are seed starting, then the seeds should be near the top  of the soil to give them a chance to get the warmth of the sun. But small plants should be planted with about 1/2 inch of soil in the cup(holes for drainage)and then place the plant on top of that , pouring more soil around the plant and as far as the top will allow.

I place the cup in water until the top gets moist and then put it under the lights or sun until the soil dries out again in several days.

But you dont have to water from the bottom. I water from the top as well! Just a matter of what mood UR in I guess.   There isn't much you can do to destroy toms.

I posted a few videos by a guy called Ray who has a you tube channel..I consider him my guru LOL.

You can view these in this thread thread.

Will these go on a patio? Grown inside at a window? In the Yard? Do tell us about it!

Hope this helps.

[rckcs]

They’re in my Farm Plus for stronger light.  I started them in my Harvest.  They’re about 4-5 inches tall.  I have to raise the light almost every day they’re growing well.  I plan on putting them in my Earthbox on my deck,  it’s my first time using an Earthbox so I’m new to all this.  I’ve got 5 plants so I’ll plan them in my Solo cups tomorrow and hope for the best.  I’m going to put them back under my Farm Plus lights until they’re ready to put in my EB.  Hopefully by then I can get out to buy some potting soil for my EB.  

thanks for your help.  All information and suggest are greatly appreciated.  Lana