Tomato Planting Info

Tomato
Lycopersicon esculentum

Seed Depth

Soil Temp. for Germination

Days to Germination

Sunlight Requirements

Planting Time

1/4 to 1/2"

80 F to 85 F

7 to 14 days

Full Sun

Spring

USDA Hardiness Zone

Seed Spacing

Row Spacing

Space After Thinning

Days to Harvest

2 - 11

48"

60 - 90 days

Tomato Seed Planting Information:

Tomato plants should be grown in a warm areas and receive plenty of sunlight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden. Relocate your tomato plants in different parts of your garden each year to avoid diseases. Optimum temperatures for growing tomatoes are between 80 and 85 degrees F. Plant your seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting outside. If the temperature is too low and the seeds are overwatered, you will experience poor germination! Use Miracle Gro Seed Starting Material for best germination results. We have tested other Seed Starting Mix and experienced poor germination rates. You may have to special order the Miracle Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix from your nursery, as it is hard to find it at many of the large home and garden centers. Do not add any soil, fertilizers, and other chemicals to seed starting material! Do not use jiffy peat pots, plugs, or potting soil, or cover the pots, as the soil may become too dry or too wet, which can lead to disease and fungus. Do not bottom water the seeds, or water the seeds too often, as this causes the seed starting material to become too wet and you will experience poor germination! We have experienced disease and low germination when using these types of products and covering the pots with plastic or covers. When seedlings are 4" tall, transplant them in larger pots. Plants should be at least 10" tall before transplanting outdoors. Place plants outdoors in shady area several days before transplanting outdoors. Shelter the transplants to prevent sunburn, wilting, and rain damage. Spring planting should occur when soil is warm, at least 3 weeks after last frost, and when temperatures remain above 70 degrees F. You can plant early if you use water towers. To prevent branches from breaking from the weight of tomatoes, use 5 to 6 ft tall cages. To tie plants to stakes, use soft strips of cloth. Check indeterminate plants regularly, and pinch off suckers and side branches where leaves join the stems. Plants can grow 1 to 6 ft tall.

Soil Requirements:

Requires fertile slightly acid soil in a well drained location in the garden. Apply mulch and grass clippings, or straw around base of plant. Work the soil thoroughly before planting. Add well-rotted manure and compost.

Water Requirements:

Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water well during dry and hot spells. Water in the morning only, on the side of the plants and not directly on the leaves.

Fertilizer Requirements:

Use RootBlast, Vegetable Alive, and Slow Release Fertilizer when transplanting outdoors. Apply Miracle Gro every two weeks.

Harvest Tips:

Harvest tomatoes when they are fully mature using a garden scissor so you don't damage the plant. Pick them as they mature to encourage new fruit to form. Remove any decayed tomatoes from the plant.

Reimer seeds has over 5,000 quality vegetable, flower, and herb seeds for the home gardener and market growers. We do not sell any Genetically Modified seeds. This year we reduced our prices on many items, added new items, and have added additional bulk items by the ounce and pounds! Take time to review our impressive Online Seed Catalog. Sorry, we do not have a printed catalog to mail you. Plan your garden, and then order your varieties for this upcoming season. Please check back often, as we add new items regularly. If you don’t see an item you want you can always email us and we’ll see if we can bring it into stock!

Tomato Planting Info

Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum

Tomato
Lycopersicon esculentum