HOW TO GROW TOMATOES {PART 1: PLANTING SEED INDOORS}

My ultimate favorite in the garden... I drool at the thought of a fresh tomato sandwich, and believe me - the 60 jars of salsa I get from my canning usually doesn't last till the next season!  I used to buy my $8 tomato plants at the greenhouse until I realized how easy and cost effective (and relaxing) it was to plant and start the seed on my own!  So now, for $3 I sow about 30 plants!  The variety of tomato seeds is endless - I usually purchase 1 package of beefsteak, 1 package heirloom and 1 package of a tiny tomato variety (Dani's favorite for picking) - This year I did Italian Heirloom - 1 lb fruit great for slicing (my go-to best), Mountain Princess - reliable and produces well, Hendersons Winsall - large beefsteak great for canning, and Cherise Orange - tiny orange tomato, produces lots, great for salads.

STEP 1:
Get Your Supplies

• Potting Mix - can be bought and any home/garden centre.  I get the mix that mentions it's great for seed flats.  They usually contain a soil/peet mix with mulch (for nutrients). 
• Seed Flat - these usually come with potting pucks that you absorb with water and use as soil - I usually don't use those and just use my own potting mix.  The flat will contain cells which make planting small seed easy.  It also comes with a plastic dome to imitate a greenhouse.
• Seed - I buy my seed at the end of February so I have enough time to prepare my planting schedule.  Great seed can be found at your local greenhouse or online.  I purchase mine online at www.heritageharvestseed.com 
• Pencil - will be used for creating seed wells for sowing. 

STEP 2:

Prepare your Seed Flat

• Pour soil in your seed flat tray till the top line.  I find that soil levels often go down with watering.
  

STEP 3:

Moisten the Soil

• Damp soil is key to your seed germinating.  You want to make sure the soil is wet, not swampy, but not dry either.  I use a watering can and do a quick sprinkle and give the soil a couple minutes to absorb.

STEP 4:

Make Your Seed Wells & Sow

• With a pencil poke holes approx 1/4" deep into each cell.  I use my pencil as guidance (where the sharpened tip turns to pencil).
• Place 1 seed per hole
• Gently cover with loose soil.  Even soil out without packing it down.

STEP 6:

Label

• Label the flat with what was planted (and where) - sometimes I also include the date I planted the seed.  This time I just cut out the label from the seed packet and taped it to the flat.
  

STEP 7:

Finishing Touches

• I usually add a sprinkle of water on top when the seeds have been sown.
• Place the plastic dome on top of the flat
• Find a place in front of a window where the flat will receive lots of sunlight, away from a draft or cool air.  Seeds germinate best with a greenhouse effect (lots of sun and moderate heat).
  
  

After a day or so you'll notice humidity building in your seed flat.  That moisture will provide your germinating seed with the water it needs to grow - so no watering necessary.  Ensure the dome stays on at all times to keep humidity in.  After about a week you'll notice the first signs of what will be very delicious produce!  When the plants have grown about 1" tall - I remove the dome and water when necessary to keep the soil moist (approx every 3 days).  When the plants get approx 3" tall I transplant to a bigger cup before moving to the garden (Part 2 will be on transplanting).

There you go - you did it!  And in a few short months you'll be adding these plants to your beautiful veggie garden!  Enjoy!