skip to main content

Growing from Seed

is it too late to start tomatoes from seed?

17 years ago

To all who would like to help a newbie out: (Zone 6)I have some unplanted tomato seeds, and would like to start them...is it too late to start them inside, or should I just put them directly in the ground? (ps. anyone have any luck starting tomatoes in the ground?) Also, I have a few tomato plants already (big beef and cherry), and they are doing okay. Although on the big beefs some of the bottom leaves are starting to yellow slightly on the edges, and a few leaves seem "pinched" in some spots. But the newly emerging leaves are fine. The only thing that really alarms me about the beefs are they seem to be smaller than the cherry tomato plants. Is that right? Maybe water shock? I may have gotten a little gung ho with the water. Or possibly too much fertilizer? I tried to dilute it as much as I could. Anyway I plan to put them out by next weekend, is that too early to put transplants out? I realize my one question kinda turned into a few, but I guess I'm more of a newbie than I thought....Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

rdubow
17 years ago
Start them indoors now? NO, it's too late, buy other varieties you may want in a week or two at a gardening place- do not direct sow...your season is too short for them to have time to ripen.

Big beef will be a smaller plant than cherry tomatoes! Cherry tomatoes are a huge plant!Don't worry,when they are outside the Big Beef will catch up but the Cherry will always be the biggest!

The bottom two leaves are really false leaves...they can yellow and fall off,...it's o.k.! Remember to harden off the plants before plopping them in the ground permanently...also....plant them right up to the bottom leaves/ or where they would have been! They will get new roots up to the leaves!

Stop fertilizing them! Fertilize them after about a week outside! AND you can add manure compost (Menards $1.19 per 40# bag) to the hole when you plant them in the ground and a little on top of the soil to get watered in!Later in the season use the blue water (Miracle Grow) !!!!!

Hope this helps!!!
Bec
yayachilly
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for your response, you've really settled my nerves! I was just about to start some new seeds, when I thought I should check up on my post. I'll just save those seeds. Should they be fine for next year? Also, I did read up on the false leaves, and knew they would turn yellow, it's the "branch" directly after those (and sometimes one more) that are troubled. I looked at some of the common diseases which are all much worse off that my few leaves. I keep picturing my poor tomato plant getting worse, withering away and dying. But, the rest of the plant is fine and healthy. (Green, not wilted, and slightly hairy) I wonder if I just pinch those leaves, we'll be fine. Again, thank you for putting in the time to respond.
Related Discussions
Is it too late for tomatoes?
Q
Comments (1)
Try some short DTM types .... you'll just have tomatoes late. PV
...See More
My parents murdered my seedlings!
Q
Comments (8)
Julia Sorry about your seedlings. It is too late to start again but you can get some transplants from a nursery or any big box store. Most of mine are in the final pots in the tomato garden, the extras that I had are already given away. Look for disease resistance hybrids, for a big tomato the beefmaster did well last fall for me, better boy and celebrity for a medium, sweet 100 for a cherry. And next spring you can start your seedlings again, I will mail you some seeds sampler around that time so you can try your hand at growing them. Silvia
...See More
Too late to start tomato seeds?
Q
Comments (6)
No it isn't too late. It will be a month before they can be safely planted outside anyway unless you use protection. My average last frost date is mid April but I am not really safe from frost until after the 1st week in May. You have time to get some plants started. You might grab three or four plants from a store to have some early tomatoes but you will not be far behind with your seedlings. The plants in stores are sold too early. I saw tender flowering plants, herbs like basil and tomatoes for sale at Lowe's today - they need warm weather and warm nights which I don't get until May.
...See More
Too late to start tomatoes from seed? Zone 5/6
Q
Comments (8)
I remember starting from seeds later than this a couple years ago. I planted directly in my garden, and I didn't get nearly as many tomatoes as my neighbor, but I still think it was worth doing. And if you plant now, you'll probably be earlier than I was. But buying some seedlings sounds like a better way to go. That way you could be right on schedule. And you can always clone them to get more than one plant from each seedling, if cost is an issue. I may start a few more myself if I don't have enough of a particular variety, since I have a couple weeks until my planting date. And it'll take me a couple more weeks to get them all in the ground. But I'd rather do some cuttings since I'd probably only lose a couple weeks that way.
...See More
nygardener
16 years ago
Don't even bother pinching them. Your plant sounds nice and healthy. Keep it alive for another two weeks and then plant it outdoors.
yayachilly
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, I actually had a small experiment, and pinched one of the plants while leaving the rest. I didn't really find much of a difference yet. Thank's for everyone's advice. Much appreciated!! Happy growing!
ara133
16 years ago
It would be interesting to see if there is a difference because possibly the mobile nutrients in the seedling leaves may move up to the growing leaves/shoot as the seed leaves die off... may be beneficial to leave them? I don't know, will be interesting if you end up seeing a difference :)
rdubow
16 years ago
I had to pinch a few bad leaves myself, they were just not looking good,on about 5 plants out of 100 (I start them for myself, firends,family and neighbors)!!So.....I pinched them a few weeks ago and the plants are doing fine still, they did not show excess growth due to the pinching, nor get stunted. They are keeping up with all the rest just missing a few leaves!So......I am assuming when a leaf looks bad, no matter where on the plant, pinch it!

AND yes...save those seeds for next year! Seeds can last MANY years! Hence the heirlooms!
yayachilly
Original Author
16 years ago
Happy to report..after pinching, tomatoes are still looking great. Like rdubow, mine don't show any excess growth or stunting. Very healthy, and anxious to go in the ground. I'll be planting soon...

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Seeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started

By Abundant City

Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

MOST POPULAR How to Start a Cool-Season Vegetable Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Late summer and late winter are good times to plan and plant cool-season crops like salad greens, spinach, beets, carrots and peas

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Edibles Perfect to Plant in Late Summer

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep those homegrown vegetables and greens coming well into fall

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the West

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Tired of waiting for spring to arrive? Try these drought-tolerant, flowering plants for color that starts in late winter

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

FLOWERS Best Cutting-Garden Beauties for Late Summer

By Paintbox Garden

Pick blooms bursting with color or in classic white for bouquets to give away or keep all to yourself

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can I seed oriental poppy etc on top of mulch

11

Rant: Where have all the flower seeds gone?

12

Started vinca and impatiens seeds!

8

Need help growing Paulownia Tomentosa from seed.

20

Staghorn Sumac - Help with sprouting seeds

0