It really is not difficult to grow tomatoes from seed but does take a little bit of planning. Start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost date in your area (refer to the Frost Pages).
Plant about 1/4 inch deep, in flats or small pots using sterile seed starting material. This will help to prevent soil born disease problems.
Although we try and separate seeds during the harvest process, you may find small clumps of multiple seeds in your packets. Separate these clumps into individual seeds before planting.
Water lightly and keep consistently moist until germination occurs. If the seeds dry out, they will die. You can cover the pots with a plastic bag to help maintain the soil moisture but be sure to remove once plants appear. The tomato seeds germinate best if the soil is between 75 to 90°F. Click here for seed starting ideas.
Full light, and cooler temperatures (60 to 70°F) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. After the seeds have germinated, place them in a location that receives a lot of light. A south-facing window should work. If this is not an option, a florescent lamp fixture rigged so that it is a couple of inches above the plants will work. If they do not receive adequate light, they will become spindly.
After the plants have their second or third set of true leaves, and before they become root bound, transplant into 4 inch pots. This transplanting step will allow the plant to develop properly and promote root growth.
Harden off plants before transplanting outside. Be careful while transplanting so that you do not disturb or damage the roots too much. Young plants are very tender and susceptible to frost damage, as well as sunburn. I protect my young plants by placing a one gallon milk jug, with the bottom removed, to form a miniature greenhouse. A couple of days of special attention like this will help to ensure a high rate of success.
You should avoid giving tomato plants too much nitrogen, especially before the fruit sets. It is far better to plant them into a location that has healthy soil with high levels of organic matter worked in. Over watering may help to produce larger fruit, but flavor may be reduced. Additionally, splitting and cracking can result from uneven and excessive watering.
Selection tips -- Determinate types ripen over 3 to 4 weeks and their bushes generally do not need staking. Indeterminate continue to grow even after the fruit sets and ripen continuously until a frost arrives.
Tomato Disease Tolerances -- "F" indicates a resistance to Fusarium wilt, "V" a resistance to Verticillium wilt, "N" to nematodes (root knot), "T" to the tobacco mosaic virus, and "St" to Stemphylium (gray leaf spot). Note: Tobacco users should not come in contact with seedlings to help prevent infection with the tobacco virus.
How to make tomato salad
Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
This simple salad of fresh tomatoes and sweet corn will breathe new life into your summer picnic or backyard barbecue.The salad can be made up to 8 hours ahead,though you may want to mix the basil in at the last minute so it doesn’t wilt or discolor.
To remove corn kernels from the cob,hold the ear upright,placing the flat end on a cutting board; with a sharp knife,cut along the length of the cob,turning the cob as you go.
how is the way to cultivate tomato?