I prefer to start them outdoors but the heat can be hard on them, so often I sow the seeds indoors, without grow lights even set up, and then I move the flat outdoors the very minute I see the first tiny green sprout breaking through the soil. Using this method gives them a chance to germinate indoors in slightly cooler temperatures, but then to grow on in the same kind of heat they're going to grow in once transplanted outdoors. I usually put the flat of tiny seedlings on a table inside my fenced garden where they have morning sun and afternoon shade. I don't want to grow them in an area that is too protected because I don't want to have to harden them off, but I also don't want to grow them in full sun because they can dry out too much during the day. As it is, they generally need to be watered in flats every morning and every evening in the summer in our climate. Forget to water one single time and they can be dead in no time at all....so, if you cannot be around to consistently water them that often, you might be better off starting them indoors.

One thing to be aware of with tomato seedlings growing outdoors in the summertime is that certain pests can wipe out tiny seedlings quickly so if you're already having a bad time with leaf-devouring pests, the small seedings need to be grown under row covers or netting or something that gives them pest protection.

I always started my fall tomato plants outdoors in flats in Texas zone 8 in June/July for years before we moved here and it worked fine. I didn't even own grow lights or start seeds indoors under lights back then, not even in winter. I actually started them in a fairly sunny window in winter, but I use grow lights nowadays because grow lights give plants better, more consistent lighting than weak winter sunlight. There's no reason to raise them indoors in summer if you can give them good moisture outdoors and some shade during the heat of the day.

If your plants are healthy, they're quick and easy from cuttings if you want to grow the same varieties for fall. Of course, you have to start with new seeds if you want to grow different varieties for fall than the ones you had in Spring.

For fall, I'm using three methods---I've purchased 10 new fall plants from Home Depot, and am holding them to put into the ground where onions currenty are growing. I'm going to raise a few from cuttings, and I'm going to raise a few from seed---the ones from seed are varieties I didn't grow in Spring.

Dawn

Great information, thanks to all

We'll see how we go here. I just planted about 15 pre-sprouted seeds of Little Bells tomato in a nursery bed (small square of freshly cleaned garden space, where I won't forget them). I am amazed this year, hardly finding any pests at all.

Little Bells is a restrained indeterminate tomato with medium/small round red tomatoes. I thought it might be nice for the fall.

George

George, I hope you'll keep us posted on how Little Bells does for you.

Except for cucumber beetles early in the season and stink bugs now, we have low pest populations this year too, which I find rather enjoyable. I hope it lasts.

Dawn

How Lonny does it take too root a plant I've never planted tomatos late sounds a lot easier then seeds

Maybe a week as long as you keep the growing medium (which should be a soil-less mix, not garden soil from the ground) moderately moist---not dripping wet.

Here's a picture from yesterday evening. I had two Little Bells seedlings up.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/macmex/Garden/tomato_little_bells_seedlings6_20_2017_zpsms4ejhtz.jpg

Sorry, I'm struggling to use Photobucket to insert a picture. I just inserted with the Houz feature, which makes for a smaller picture. Will have to come back to this latter.

As of last night 11 little plants had sprouted and 7 had survived. I sprinkled a little wood ash around them to see if that would deter any pests. I'm pleased, so far, with how this is working.

George