Tomato Seeds

• Tomato plants begin from seeds that are purchased in seed packets from various stores, or collected from ripe tomatoes from the previous season and stored. This warm-season vegetable requires soil temperatures of at least 55 degrees F to germinate. The seeds can only be planted outdoors in locations with warm-enough soil and are often started indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost. Add top-quality soil to 2-inch pots, dampen the soil and then sow one or more seeds 1/4-inch deep in each pot.
  
  

Tomato Seedlings

• Keep the pots in a warm location and maintain damp soil until the seedlings emerge in a week or more. Move the tomato seedlings to location with full sunlight and continue to maintain moist soil. Thin the seedlings to one per pot once they reach 3 inches tall. Cut the seedling instead of pulling them out to prevent damaging the remaining seedling's roots. Transplant the tomato seedlings into 4-inch pots and then 6-inch pots as the seedlings grow larger. This permits the root system of the tomato seedlings to become bigger and stronger.
  
  

Tomato Transplants

• Prepare the planting area outside when the soil warms in the spring. Incorporate organic matter into the top 12 inches to enrich the soil -- and slowly, over several days, acclimatize the tomato transplants to the outside conditions. Dig holes for the transplants deep enough to bury all but the top two set of leaves. Remove the lower leaves on the transplants to encourage root growth, backfill the holes and then soak each transplant with water to settle the soil. Space the transplants 1 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows 2 to 4 feet apart, depending on the variety.
  
  

Mature Plants

• Supply at least 1 inch of water weekly in the absence of rainfall -- as long as the tomato plants are growing. Apply a starter fertilizer at planting as directed and install cages or other supports for vining or indeterminate tomatoes. Cover the area around the plants with mulch to deter weeds or carefully cultivate to remove weeds. Reapply a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, as instructed on the label throughout the growing season. Allow the fruits to fully ripen on the plants before harvesting.