Potting Up Tomato Seedlings
Planting seedlings is a great way to get a head start on your gardening season. As they mature and reach a certain size, your tomato seedlings need to be transferred from their small start pots into larger, more robust containers that will allow them to reach maturity. When is the best time to pot up your tomato seedlings?
Signs to Look for
The best time to pot up tomato seedlings depends on their specific growth stages. However, in general, when your seedlings show the following signs, they’re ready for repotting:
- The soil is starting to dry out quickly
- The stems are beginning to get long and leggy
- The leaves are yellowing and drooping
If your seedlings show any of these signs, it’s likely that they’ve outgrown their initial start pot.
Steps to Take
It’s important to take proper care when potting up your seedlings. Here are the steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition:
- Choose a larger pot such as a 12-inch plastic pot or a shallow wooden planter.
- Fill the pot with fertile, well-draining soil.
- Carefully transfer your seedlings, keeping as much of the original soil around the roots as possible.
- Gently press the soil down around the roots to ensure secure placement.
- Water the seedlings as soon as they have been transferred.
- Move the pot into the sun for some extra warmth.
Potted up seedlings will now be able to expand their roots and eventually bear delicious fruit. Repotting the seedlings when they’re ready is an important first step for their healthy growth and development.
