If you want to sow your own tomatoes, you have a large selection of different, old and rare tomato varieties. Growing your own tomatoes takes a little more effort, but it’s not that difficult. The choice of the right seeds, the right time and the optimal external conditions are important. With love and a little guidance, this almost always succeeds.
Table of Contents
The selection
Of course, taste and personal preference play a big role when sowing tomatoes. But you should do as much as you can. That means considering beforehand whether you want to cultivate the tomatoes in a bucket on the balcony, in a greenhouse or outdoors and what the prevailing climate is in the region. It is also worth resorting specifically to organic seeds. These tomato plants are seedproof. So next year you can sow your tomatoes from your own plants again. This also cultivates the diversity of varieties. Many old varieties are not only particularly shapely and aromatic, but can also tolerate rain well and are not sensitive to the dreaded late blight.
Another selection criterion may be whether it should be a stick or bush tomato? Stick tomatoes are constantly growing and therefore need to be pinched regularly in order to achieve good yields. With bush tomatoes, this care work is not necessary. So when purchasing, pay attention to:
- F1 Hybrid or open seed variety
- resistance to diseases
- cold tolerance
- rain tolerance
- purpose, taste
- maintenance effort
The right time to sow
It is important to choose the best time for sowing. The time of year is important so that the young seedlings are received with sufficient light and warmth and can later be placed outside at exactly the right stage of growth. Around the time of the ice saints, in mid-May, the little plants should be fit for the climate outside. They must not be too big for this, but must be strong enough.
Tomato seeds are never sown directly in the open ground. Depending on where the seed is to germinate, you can start sowing the tomatoes in a heated greenhouse as early as the end of February. On the windowsill in a heated room or in an unheated greenhouse, mid to late March is a good time.
The right time according to the lunar calendar
Another component to consider for the right time to grow tomatoes is the moon position. Sneered at by many scientists, the lunar calendar plays an important role in many nurseries. Experience shows that plants sown taking into account the position of the moon become stronger and more productive. Garden centers that cultivate their plants with the moon do not primarily focus on the respective phases of the moon. That means whether the moon is waxing or waning, but according to the current moon positions in the signs of the zodiac. So according to the sidereal, the star-related, lunar cycle. This lunar cycle lasts only 27.3 days instead of 29.5 days from full moon to full moon.
The signs of the zodiac are further grouped together. There are four groups, each with three signs of the zodiac (trines), each of which is assigned one of the elements earth, fire, water and air. Furthermore, it is taken into account whether the moon is descending or ascending. According to this rule, the warm days in March are best suited for tomatoes as fruit vegetables. The moon is then in a heat or fire zodiac sign. Since the first thing to do when sowing is to form healthy roots, the following days would be best for sowing tomatoes with the descending moon in March:
- 10. to 23.03. Warm days with the descending moon, Sagittarius
- 25. to 31.03. Warm days with the descending moon, shortly before the full moon, Leo
The growing soil
Cultivation or seed soil is a particularly nutrient-poor soil. It ensures that the roots develop well. They will only be strong enough to prick and plant them if they have to make a real effort. The nutrients from the seeds are sufficient for the seedling for the first time. In addition, the potting soil is very finely crumbly and has good drainage properties. This minimizes the risk of mold growth. Another advantage is that the seed soil is low in salt and free of harmful germs.
The seed jars
There are several options for the vessels. Anyone who dares to prick out the seeds can lay them out in a flat, large container. Otherwise, round or square small growing pots are suitable. If you want to grow a lot of plants and therefore want to save space, it is best to use the square pots. Cultivation pots made of cellulose or peat as well as swelling pots are very practical because they can simply be placed in the ground later without damaging the roots. There are also many different mini and indoor greenhouses on the market that come with a cover. Just try what works best for you.
Instructions for sowing tomatoes
Tomatoes are originally exotic, they love a humid and warm climate. It is therefore not advisable to sow them directly outdoors here in Central Europe. A warm window sill or a heated greenhouse are the best climate areas for growing tomatoes. Temperatures of 20° to 24° C are optimal for germination. They should also get as much light as possible in their environment during the day.
Preparation of the seeds
As a rule, the soft tomato seeds do not have a hard time germinating. So there is no need to soak them before sowing. But you are welcome to give them this starting aid, especially if the seeds are a bit older, it can make sense. To do this, place them in room-warm water for a few hours or overnight. Again and again one reads tips for soaking the seeds in garlic broth, chamomile tea or in a valerian extract before sowing to make them more resistant and germinate faster. The only good advice here is to just give it a try. As is so often the case, there are conflicting expert opinions on this subject. It is noted that herbal extracts, especially with chamomile, can have a negative impact on natural soil organisms.
sowing
The individual seeds are now placed on the potting soil. The minimum distance from each other is about three centimeters. Tomato seeds are light germinators. That means, after sowing, only sprinkle with a very thin layer of soil or sand. Then spray with water, cover with clear film or a lid and place in a convenient location.
After that:
- Always keep seed slightly moist
- Cover the film (lid, roof) daily to air it out
- in 10-14 days the seedlings should be visible
- now they like it a bit cooler (16° to 18°C)
- the first true pair of leaves becomes visible
- the cover can be removed
- if necessary, piqued now
pricking
For pricking out, first prepare small pots with lightly fertilized potting soil (potting soil). The earth should be filled up to five centimeters high in the vessels. Make small wells in it for the seedlings. Before pricking out, the plants are watered again so that the soil adheres better to the small roots. Separation works best with a pricking stick so that the small roots are not damaged as much as possible. In the new pots, they are then inserted deep into the substrate up to the cotyledons. Now it’s time to water, but not flood. The tomatoes now need a lot of light for strong, compact growth.
planting
Tomato plants should not be planted outdoors before mid-May. They don’t tolerate frost at all. When planted in tubs, you can place them outside in a sheltered spot at the end of April or beginning of May during the day. In cold weather or even frost, they have to be brought back in at night. It is also worth taking a look at the lunar calendar when releasing the tomato plants if you consistently garden according to the moon.
Get tomato seeds from your own plants
Anyone who grows seed-solid tomato plants may want to grow new plants from their own tomatoes next year. Here are a few tips to ensure your own seeds sprout well:
- Tomatoes must be fully ripe and healthy
- scrape out the seeds with a spoon
- put everything in a bowl of water
- the seeds will detach from the “goo” in a few days
- Drain seeds
- wash in a sieve under running water
- lay out on newspaper to dry (2-3 weeks)
- tightly sealed, the seeds will keep for about 5 years
Conclusion
Anyone who has never paid attention to the moon when gardening can, together, start sowing their tomatoes. It doesn’t take much effort and with the help of a lunar calendar you don’t have to delve deep into the theory of the moon and stars.
