The best time to start tomato plants from seeds is about six to eight weeks before you plan on planting them out into your garden. For areas that get frost, plan on planting out your tomato seedlings two to three weeks after your last frost, so you will start growing tomatoes from seed at four to six weeks before your last frost date.
This of course begs the inquiry “When is the best time to plant tomato seeds?”
The most common answer is: (More on this later.) The best growing season for tomatoes is summer, which is why most seed packets recommend starting your seeds 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Doing so allows your plant to go through the whole germination and growth process and be ready to bear fruit when warm weather arrives.
The most common answer is; it’s usually best to plant seeds in late spring through summer. But climatic conditions play an important role, and soil temperatures are more important than planting dates. It is important to prepare the soil before you plant tomatoes. Ideally, you should do this two or three weeks before planting seeds or transplanting tomato seedlings.
One source proposed however, for those of you living in temperate climates, the soil only reaches this temperature sometime mid-summer, and by then it is too late to plant seeds outdoors, as the plants won’t grow, mature, and bear fruit before the first frost. Growing tomatoes from seed on a windowsill.
For most crops, you should start seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost date. This gives the plants plenty of time to grow large and healthy enough to survive their eventual transplanting to the garden. Consult our Planting Calendar to see the best time to start seeds in your area.
How to start tomato plants from seed?
Let’s take a look at how to start tomato plants from seed. The best time to start tomato plants from seeds is about six to eight weeks before you plan on planting them out into your garden.
Should I start my own tomato seedlings?
If you start your own tomato seedlings, then when spring comes your plants will be ready to plant outdoors. Plus you’ll grow a more successful crop than if you sow seeds directly in the garden.
How long does it take for tomatoes to grow from seed?
As long as the number of days to maturity is smaller than the number of days until the expected first frost date, you can still plant your tomatoes. In general, most tomato varieties need 100 days to fully mature, but there are many very good tomato varieties that only need 50-60 days to mature.
What is a planting guide for Tomatoes?
Our planting guide will show you when and how to plant tomatoes in your garden with minimum effort. Eat them raw, dry them, or cook with them. Growing your own tomatoes might just be the most rewarding gardening task you have ever embraced.
Sowing Period UK. Sow seed indoors around the middle of March to the end of April if you intend to grow your tomatoes outside. For growing in a cold greenhouse, seeds may be sown at the end of February – indoors of course!