Marianne's Response

How to plant young, small tomato plants

What is the proper way to plant young, small tomato plants?

Posted by squeen1212 on April 26, 2016

Marianne's Response

First wait until the weather is warm and nights are above 50 degrees to plant warmth loving tomato plants outdoors. Choose a hot and sunny spot and loosen the soil one foot deep and as wide. Work in compost and some Osmocote plant food as tomatoes love rich soil. If the young plants have long stems you can remove the lowest leaves and plant them into the planting hole so that the stem with the leaves removed is underground. By planting tomatoes deeply they will grow more roots where leaves once grew at the nodes. (You can do this to most plants - just tomatoes and clematis.) Firm the soil with your hands not your feet around the young plants. Water slowly so that the soil is moist then add a mulch of wood chips or compost if your weather is hot. Wait until mid June to add the mulch if you have cool spring weather. Add a tomato cage or stake for support if you are planting a tall type of tomato. Enjoy the fresh flavor of home grown tomatoes this summer. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti