Another good seed-starting mix is Light Warrior by FoxFarm. I took a chance on it, and it turned out to be a great product. It was recommended to me by a friend who breeds amaryllis. It’s affordable and works for me every time. Regular potting soil is typically too heavy.Īs funny as it sounds, my favorite seed-starting medium is Miracle-Gro Cactus and Succulent Mix. Garden soil can introduce bacteria and harmful fungi. Never use garden soil or regular potting soil for starting seeds. The humidity dome maintains a warm, moist environment that encourages speedy germination.Ī high quality seed-starting mix provides a sterile medium for strong root growth and will hold just enough moisture but not too much. Bottom trays are critical because they allow you to bottom-water your seedlings which prevents disease. For a great price, it comes with a bottom-tray, a 72-cell growing tray, and a clear humidity dome. My favorite seed tray system is Jiffy brand. Especially because they are reusable and they can be disinfected in between crops. (“When you know better, you do better” is a very appropriate saying for this situation.) Your time is precious, and if you are going to invest 8 weeks of your time caring for seedlings, then do as much as possible to ensure that your time isn’t wasted.Ī professional-quality seed tray system is worth every single penny. Even peat pots can spell disaster for young seedlings. But these methods are unreliable and inconsistent. I know that it is tempting to try and start seeds using creative, DIY methods like egg shells or newspaper. Here is a list of the must-have seed starting supplies for tomatoes: Without the proper supplies, you can’t give the seedlings what they need to thrive: light, heat, moisture, and fertility. The difference between success and failure with starting seeds indoors comes down to the proper supplies. In North Texas, the best time to start tomato seeds indoors is mid-to-late January. This gives ample time for the tomato plant to develop substantial size, a strong root system, and time for hardening off. It’s very important to plant tomatoes at the right time.Ī good rule is to start tomato seeds indoors 8 weeks before planting out. When nighttime temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees, fruit production is negatively impacted. (The average last frost in North Texas is March 12.) Tomatoes planted in May or later will fail to flower and fruit before the intense heat sets in. In North Texas, the optimum time to plant tomatoes is early March through the end of April. Bottomline: the earlier plantings aren’t worth the risk. It’s my suspicion that this ultra-early planting recommendation stems from suppliers trying to extend the sales period. Some people choose to plant tomatoes before the final freeze and protect them with coverings or Wall-O-Waters, but in my experience, there is no distinct advantage to planting out earlier than necessary. Tomato seedlings can be transplanted outdoors as soon as all chances of frost have passed.
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