Whether you have grown your own from seeds, or purchased them ready to go, there are a few things you need to know when it comes time to transplant tomato seedlings into your garden. Let’s talk soil, fertilizer and mulch…
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Choosing the Perfect Spot to Plant Tomatoes
Tomatoes like a rich, well-drained soil in a sunny spot. These plants need “full sun”, which means a minimum of 8-10 hours of sunlight a day.
However, there is such a thing as “too much” sun. Tomato plants actually appreciate a bit of shade during the hot summer months.
If you have a spot that is shaded in the late afternoon, or possibly a spot that gets all the morning and evening sun, but directly overhead is slightly shaded, that’s perfection.
You can also achieve a bit of sun relief for your tomatoes by planting sunflowers next to them. Sunflowers grow tall and their large leaves help filter the direct sunlight for your other plants. (Plus, sunflowers improve your soil!)
Preparing Soil for Tomato Seedlings
Tomatoes like a well-turned soil. Till the area a good 8-12 inches deep. If planting in a raised bed, an electric or hand tiller work well.
(Tomatoes like soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.2-6.8.)
Next, you’ll want to till in a rich compost or a composted manure.
A rich compost will add nutrients and improve the structure of the soil.
Composted manure gives a slow release of nutrients over the entire growing season of the plant.
Personally, I use rabbit and cow manure. Rabbit manure is a “cold” manure, which means it doesn’t need to compost before using it and it won’t burn your plants. Cow manure isn’t very “hot”, but it still needs to be older/composted before using it for your tender tomato seedlings.
Another good amendment is wood ash. It is a great source of potassium.
Organic coffee grounds are another soil amendment your tomato plants will appreciate. It contains a little nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
You may also opt for a store bought fertilizer to mix into the soil prior to planting. Something specifically made for tomatoes is best. I will link what I suggest to use below this post.
Planting Tomato Seedlings into the Garden
Once your outside temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees F., it’s time to transplant your seedlings.
Plant tomato seedlings 3 feet apart. Or, if you’re transplanting into a larger pot, it needs to be at least a 24-inch pot.
Step 1. The Hole.
Dig a hole 2-3 inches deeper than the depth of the pot. You’ll want it deep enough to cover an inch or two (or 3 or 4) of the tomato seedling’s stem. Tomato stems planted beneath the soil will sprout more roots, and give your little plant a stronger foundation.
Step 2. Extra Calcium.
Next, while not necessary, I like to add some crushed up egg shells to the base of the hole. This will provide calcium to the plant as the shells decompose. I add about 1-2 large egg’s shells to each hole.
Step 3. Plant.
Remove the seedling from its pot and gently loosen the roots. Place it into the hole and fill in, packing the soil around the tomato plant with a light firmness.
Step 4. Water.
Deeply water your tomato seedlings.
Step 5. Trellis
If you haven’t already, set up your trellis system. It may be tomato cages, a store-bought trellis, or something DIY like a cattle panel trellis.
When to Mulch your Tomato Seedlings
About a week or two after transplanting, once your seedlings have gotten established, it’s time to mulch.
Apply 2-4 inches of mulch to minimize weeds and help keep the soil moist.
A good option for mulching tomato plants is straw or shredded leaves.
If you’re just getting started with seeds, check out my article on How to Start Tomatoes from Seed
Links
Here are a few Amazon links to some of the items I recommend:
Electric tiller/cultivator: Sun Joe 16″
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
john 3:16
