Lowest temp for tomato seedlings Patch#
Lowest temp for tomato seedlings full#

If necessary cover with cloches or plastic over a frame or stake supports in the early stages to provide shelter. They can stand short periods of low temperature so long as day temperatures don’t fall below 7˚C, soil temperature is about 10˚C and the risk of frost is over. Transplant into 5-6cm pots at the two or three leaf stage and give the seedlings ample ventilation, space and light. Only vigorous healthy seedlings should be pricked out, into a good quality potting mix. Before pricking them out loosen them by sliding a small label or similar under the roots, lift the plants by one of their seed leaves – not the stem, to avoid damage. In temperatures of 21-24˚C this can be 6-12 days after sowing. Seedlings should be pricked out when the seed leaves (cotyledons) are fully expanded. High humidity at the time of their emergence helps the seedlings to shed their seed coats quickly. A properly prepared tray should require no further watering until after seedlings have emerged. Turn the glass over daily so as to remove any condensation.

Seed trays can be covered with a piece of glass to increase temperature and humidity and paper to keep seeds in the dark during germination. Sow seeds evenly across the tray and cover with a 3-5mm thick layer of fine seed raising mix. Soak the tray and mix until it is thoroughly wet before the seed is sown and stand for a while to allow excess water to drain off. Fill trays to about 20mm below the top then firm and level carefully. Seed is best sown in a seed raising mix in clean seed trays. Germination will occur at much lower temperatures, but it is slower. The best temperature for germinating tomato seeds is 21 to 24˚C. Tomato seeds are best sown in late August or early September. Tom-a-Rite is a liquid tomato fertiliser. Jobes Tomato Spikes pushed below the soil surface on each side of the plant will release feed for up to 8 weeks. There are a number of good tomato fertilisers available, dressings of Nitrophoska Blue or Tui Tomato fertiliser are most beneficial. Work in Tomato or a general garden fertiliser before planting tomatoes need high levels of phosphate, but low levels of nitrogen. Prepare the soil by working in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost at least 30cm deep since tomatoes develop a deep root system in this range and are gross feeders. Tomatoes are also grown very successfully in containers and this is another popular option.

This can be a problem in small gardens and greenhouses which can be remedied by removing the soil and adding fresh compost and manures.

Lowest temp for tomato seedlings Patch#

They should not be grown in the same patch of ground year after year. The plants perform best if they are rotated with other vegetable crops to prevent a build-up of soil borne pests and diseases. Some lime may need to be applied to very acid soils when growing tomatoes. Tomatoes tolerate a wide range of fertile and well-drained soils tending acid within a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. They grow best at 21-24˚C and do not thrive at temperatures below 10˚C or above 27˚C and do not tolerate frost.

Lowest temp for tomato seedlings full#

Tomatoes grow best in a full sun position but sheltered from the wind. Size varies from a 2-3cm diameter in the small cherry tomatoes to approximately 10cm in say Big Beef or Beefsteak. Some may even develop unusual protuberances. Ripe tomato fruits come in red, yellow, orange, pink or white and round, flat plum or pear shaped. Every year in October many thousands of tomato plants are planted in the hope that a great crop will be harvested.