Time to Plant Tomato Seeds

These Heirloom Tomato Seeds Were a Christmas Gift From My Son

I normally don’t plant tomato seeds, I buy young tomato plants.  I’ve never grown tomatoes from seed.  Based on my reading of the subject these seeds should be started indoors (or in a greenhouse) two months before the last average freeze date.  The last average freeze date where I garden is March 1.  That means it is time now to plant them in pots.  Then, about two weeks after the last average freeze date they can be transplanted into the garden.   If the seeds were direct sown into the garden after danger of frost had passed, it would get too hot before they are matured and ready to set fruit.  Tomatoes need cool nights and warm days in order to set fruit.  

I planted the seeds in a seed starter kit.  It was easier than buying perlite, vermiculite, sand, peat moss and little pots in order to mix up my own soil.  I hope it’s warm enough in the greenhouse!  I tacked a paper drop cloth across the door of the greenhouse until my husband can replace it with something more substantial.