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Growing from Seed

Direct sow in the bed with no trans planting seedlings??

Patti Chicago Zone 5b/6a

5 years ago

Can I direct sow tomato seeds in my raised bed and cover them with a vented cover until the seedlings grow and just leave them where they are to grow all summer? I planted some in the house and they are leggy and not so green I will pot these up and see how they do in a larger container. I have a few different varieties that I was going to direct sow that are different from the ones I did in the house. None of the plants that I planted in the house have the true leaves yet but I keep hoping they will come. I try to baby the plants but I don’t have any fancy light set ups so I am relying on the lights I have that are in the room and the sun, I have kept the lights on all day and night. I keep a small fan on all the time on low to move the air. I did some winter sowing but many of my planters must have been too wet all the time. Some of the containers have no plants and the soil is getting a layer of green. I put the planters in the sunniest place to sow them. I don’t know if I got them out soon enough either. I have read so many pages of this forum to get advise. HELP!!!

Comments (3)

funkyhat
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, you can direct-sow tomato seeds. People get volunteer tomato plants in their beds, even overwintering in 5/6a zones, if those aren't from seeds hanging around all winter, I don't know what they would be. But, they'll be really late, won't have the same level of germination rate as you can in climate controlled conditions.

If you were also asking about what you can do with your indoor seedlings, far more information is required. The a 100w equivalent overhead room light does effectively nothing (too far away, too low power). The sun depends on where it is. Windowsill, putting them in/out on a porch, etc.. Also, have you used fertilizer or 'charged' potting soil for starts?

You may wish to edit your post to add the 'growing tomatoes' discussion group, not just growing from seed.
Patti Chicago Zone 5b/6a thanked funkyhat
Patti Chicago Zone 5b/6a
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the help. You are so right about volunteers. I am not asking about my seedling in the house. I know what I need to improve that situation. I will try planting a few more tomato seeds in my raised bed than I plan to keep there and thin them out to only three or four. I guess I’m asking if the plants will have a good chance to survive without the early growth period in the house. I am going to give them a chance and if nothing germinates before June 15th I will get plants that are already established from the nursery. Just what I was trying to avoid this year. Oh well there is always next year to try seedling inside again. I will definitely try to winter sow them next year. I just am not certain when to put the tomato seeds out for sowing. I still have so much more to learn to go from seed to table.
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thanks so much, all. VB - I have a spot I could use which is what made me ask the question. I wanted to plant zinnias and other cutting flowers too. Fresh salads....how good that must be. I haven't planted lettuces or radishes yet - maybe this fall I can get some space for that. mrsgalihad - I winter sow too - this year was not such a good year. Did you see any difference? And yes, I think a lot of seedlings look weedy - I know exactly what you mean. I have to let them grow a bit before plucking. Nell - I've been using pots myself so far. And I did have rooted cuttings of a pussywillow --that is until DH weedwhacked right through it! This is the first year I'm growing larkspur. I got the seeds in an exchange, but I have to say they don't look like the pictures. They're single cobalt blue flowers on a delicate ferny-like stem and maybe about 5 or 6 inches high.
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funkyhat
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, there is a chance, I'm not really sure how good it is, and while I love making up statistics along with everyone else, I'll restrain myself. I'd visit the nursery now and see what nice starts they have. Some of my local supermarkets (including national chain affiliates) have heirloom tomatoes, or really good hybrids, you might have luck near yours.

They're still like 60-80 days after transplant, even for the super productive hybrid varieties so that won't leave you much of a growing season (if you keep the June 15th plan).

But! they're *your* tomatoes, in *your* garden and you're spending *your* time and money so how can I be more right than you?
Patti Chicago Zone 5b/6a thanked funkyhat

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