Growing tomato plants from seeds is very easy and also very rewarding. There are many different varieties of seed packets to choose from. It is a good idea to try a number of them to see which kind you like best.
It is best to start your plants indoors. In early spring about six to eight weeks before you are going to put them outside. Put potting soil in pots or planting trays, and scatter the seeds thinly over the top. Tomato plants like to be warm so you will want to place these in a warm area such as a window seal. The soil can dry out, so putting cling film over the trays will help. You want the plants to be kept moist, but be careful not to over water them. The film can be removed when the seedlings start to appear.
The more sunlight the plants get the better. If your plants are in window seals where they can get direct sun, turn the trays every few days so they will get more even light. Because the plants grow towards the sun, you might end up with bent plants if the trays are not turned. Plants can also get long and stringy if they don't get enough light while they are inside.
Transplant the seedlings to individual pots after they reach about one to two inches. You do not want to damage the roots, so be careful when separating the seedlings. The small plants are easily damaged so it is best to lift them by the leaves and not the stems. Make holes in the soil that are big enough for the roots and place each plant in. Fill each hole with compost and immediately water the plants. It is important that the roots have good contact with the soil so lightly press the soil around them. Keep the seedlings in the sunlight and keep turning them periodically. Transplant the seedlings to larger pots when they get about six to eight inches tall. This is the last stage before planting them outside, and you will want to start hardening the plants. Hardening means getting the plants used to the variations of outside temperatures. Setting the seedlings outside in the sun for a few hours every day will accomplish this.
When the weather outside is warm enough, and your plants have six or more leaves on them, you can start planting in an outside garden. Roots will sprout along the stem of tomato plants so it is best to plant them deep in the soil. Try to bury them up to the top four leaves. This will give them a better root system, and a stronger plant, which can more easily support the fruit that will grow. Because fruit that touches the ground can rot, a stronger plant will yield a larger crop.
