FarmerJay.com reader Alexander Roman encountered an issue many of us face — he planted his seeds indoors too soon.
This is my fourth year urban farming and while I might make it look good today, I’ve definitely had a fair bit of trail and error along the way. Living in Chicago, the growing season isn’t long enough to satisfy my urge. It’s usually November and December before I’m ready to get seeds back in the ground.
Seed catalogs — more on those tomorrow — come in December and January and I usually make my first purchases shortly thereafter. With the seeds in my hands by February 1st, it’s easy to start growing right away.
A few years ago, I planted tomato seeds in the seedstarters around February 1st. By March 1st, they are outgrowing the 2″ square pot and ready to stretch out. First, please don’t plant in the ground until the ground and the weather is good and ready. I hate losing 6 weeks of work to putting the tomatoes in the ground too early.
My recommendation is to give them the room they need but keep them inside. While I’m not a fan of plastic cups (for environment reasons), they do make a good mini pot for tomato starts. It will also give them another 2 to 3 weeks to grow inside.
If you’re using a “growing medium” (I use this mix), you’ll need to add some real dirt and some tomato fertilizer to keep the tomatoes happy. For tomatoes throughout the growing season, I use Gardeners.com Organic Tomato Fertilizer. Transplant them to the cups and they’ll do fine until you can get them outdoors. Crisis averted!
Tomato starts growing under a grow lamp, April 2009
Related articles:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the Blog Response, as well as posting a link to my page.
I used plastic containers that i had laying around, i reuse them, then recycle them. As Far as Applying Fertilizers (organic of corse) how often are you supposed to apply them, i have read that two weeks, was a good time, but i am not too sure if this is too much.
thank you for the help,
Alexander Roman
Alexander.rmn@gmail.com
Once you plant them outside, I would fertilize about every 20 to 30 days. If you’re really dilligent, every two weeks but I think that is overkill.
When you’re inside, if you’re using seed starting soil, you’ll only need to add fertilizer if you leave them in the soil more than 8 weeks. Generally there is enough to keep them going for a while.
You are indeed an inspiration for farmers and farmer-wanna-bes! Thank you for your insights and sharing your garden adventures. I am in awe at the thought and detail that surfaces in your articles.