Let’s talk why to start seedlings indoors. In my area you have a 50% chance of frost (36^oF) by June 3rd. Two weeks later there is only a 10% chance of frost. Sure you can always cover the plants out in the garden if it looks like frost overnight, but that is taking a chance. Let’s say your tomato variety will take 2 – 3 months to produce ripe fruit.

In my area you have a 50% chance of first frost by the end of September. So let’s say you are being safe and you don’t plant your tomatoes outside until mid-June 3 months later you are looking at mid-September…and a 10% chance of first frost, 50% two weeks later. You are barely in your growing season window. And that is IF you don’t get a hail storm in the mean-time.

So why not start your tomato plants indoors 6 – 8 weeks earlier and get more fruit! (Yes, tomatoes are a fruit NOT a vegetable.)

So here is how I start my tomato seedlings in early April…

1 – I mix-up some home made potting soil < click here to read that article >

I check it to make sure I have the right pH level.

Then I use 16oz Solo cups for my seedling cups NOT regular seedling cups like you see at the stores. I put my own slits in the Solo cups to better uptake the water from the bottom. Why the bottom? It keeps your soil more evenly moist and helps prevent over or under watering. And as a bonus…it encourages roots to go deeper into the potting soil towards the water making a better root system for the plant.

I fill the cup halfway with my potting mix. Yup, just halfway…be patient.

I then place the Solo cup into a clear plastic cup about half full of water.

I place a quart size ziploc bag over it to keep the moisture/humidity and warmth next to the plant.

I place the tray on top of my refrigerator.

7 – 10 days later I get it down and here comes the magic…I add more potting mix about ½ way up the leggy stem and water that in.

It gets put in a south facing window with a grow-light on it.

Related Articles –

• Garden Tip: Potting Soil
• Garden: Q & A – Tomato Soil

Just an FYI…I don’t consider myself an expert gardener at all. I started as a kid watching my dad, and have gardened along the way. Still trying to learn the ins & outs here in the high-desert southwest. Make sure you do what is best for you soil and climate. Maybe even find a local expert with a  great garden…and then do what they do.

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