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david_mcgrath90_zn6

first timer needs help

After teaching about plants in my science class I got the bug and really want to grow some tomatoes on my deck this summer. I want to grow them from seed (seems more fun that way) and planted some in a few small containers. I've been researching and youtubing and all that stuff, and I have a grow light going on them during the day. When do you think I should bring them outside? What temperature should they be? Any tips on this transition will be great. I have the 5 gallon pot ready to go and I think I'm all set. They are beginning to grow nicely (I think) but I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. Also, what should I do regarding fertilizer. They are in the basic planters soil and I assumed there some nutrients in there already. Thanks!

Comments (7)

  • 9 years ago

    What kind of plants and where are you located?

    You might want to get on the container gardening forum. They're very good at the stuff you are asking about! Nancy

  • 9 years ago

    "When do you think I should bring them outside? What temperature should they be? Any tips on this transition will be great."

    All depends on your location. What works in FL or AR or CA doesn't work in IA or NY etc. See my point? Young seedlings cannot be exposed to full sun without hardening them off first so Google 'hardening off plants'.

    " I have the 5 gallon pot ready to go and I think I'm all set. ""

    5 gallon pot is only big enough for the smallest tomato plants so what varieties are you growing?

    " Also, what should I do regarding fertilizer."

    Container plants require regular fertilizer supplements and liquid form supplements that also contain micro-nutrients are the most commonly recommended ones for them.

    As Nancy said, the Container Gardening forum here has much of the info you need as Container gardening is worlds different from in ground gardening.

    Dave

  • 9 years ago

    With regard to hardening off young plants, that's especially important for YOUNG seedlings. Not sure how big yours are. If they're 6-8 inches tall, they're not young anymore, and you can pretty much set them right out. After you do so, you might want to check on them every few hours, and make sure they're not upset. I just put a dozen such plants out (actually a few weeks too early -- I have to watch the weather closely and have protection prepared) because they were just getting too big. They've been in full sun (and 85F) for five hours and are looking pretty happy.

  • 9 years ago

    Whoa there Dan. Hardening off is for ALL plants. Taking your plants directly from your house lighting system to the sun, heat and wind is terrible for them. No matter how tall they are, or if they are veggies or houseplants you need to slowly acclimate them to the outside. A fan on them when they are little will help with the wind some, but you really need to set out for a few hours each morning once you have passed your frost date and get them used to being outside. If you can't bring them in, in the middle of the day choose a spot that gets some shade in the heat of the afternoon, but morning sun. A little wind is ok, but put protect them if its a really windy day. After a couple weeks you can set them in full sun for the day and see how they do. If they are happy, and growing well its time to put them in the ground. They still may need wind protection but should be sun/heat tolerant.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks so much. I put the plants in simple pots with Scott's Moisture Control Soil. Apparently I'm being told this wasn't the best choice (I'm a newbie after all). If I wanted to get a new pot going with some tomato seeds, what would you recommend in regards to soil. I've read about adding other things to it like peat moss, but then others say not to. Thanks!

  • 9 years ago

    To start seedlings it is not too bad. Most people use a 5:1:1 mix of pine bark, peat moss, and pelite mixture. You could substitute the potting mix for the peat moss. That mixture would work well for larger containers. I use more of a 3 to 4:1:1 due to needing more moisture in the mix due to the hot summers. Tomatoes use a lot of water. I had some in 20 gallon pots and in the summer they needed to be watered every 24 hours.