If you are like us and want to try to cut costs in the garden, you may have started some of your plants from seeds. I planted three types of tomatoes in my home, roughly four weeks ago. Two are for canning tomatoes and one is a cherry tomato. I planted 36 in total and will start a second round this coming week with Roma tomatoes because they are my favorite. Why do I plant so many? I count on a third of each being for my household to eat, to can, and give to family. One-third is for sale as starters to sell at the farmers markets and for produce to sell at the market. The last third is because I am sure some will not become strong enough to thrive or not survive the hardening-off process, or get killed by frost. We live in the thumb of Michigan and the freak frost storm always gets me each year. You would think I would get a clue but I always forget!
How can you tell when it is time to up-pot? Last year I waited until there were eight leaves on each plant and when I went to separate them the roots had intertwined and many were lost because I couldn’t separate them. So after some reading, I am up-potting at four to six leaves on each plant. Half of mine are at that stage so I think I will do some and then wait a couple days and do the others. I want to make sure I do not shock them by transplanting them too early but I am worried they will get tangled again if I wait too long.
The picture on the left has tomatoes that have 6 leaves, so I think these are the ones that will up-potted first, the middle group is very tiny and only have 4 SMALL leaves so I will wait on them, and the image on the right is just there because I like the way it looks 🙂
Did you know that all the fuzz on the stems are just roots waiting for soil? When up-potting don’t be afraid to deeply plant the starter so that it has a prominent root system for the journey outside. You can also plant the tomato plant sideways in the ground when it is time for your garden too so it has even more roots to grow from! Also, a light breeze inside from a fan can help toughen up the stems. We are trying to create a realistic (as we can get) recreation of the outside, inside. There is wind out there, so a light wind inside is helpful in this case. Just don’t make a tornado for them to withstand or they will surely give up and you will have to try again.
Trust your gut and check out some videos online, or get some gardening books. Also, it is okay to try new things and fail. Failing is just part of the process, it doesn’t mean you are a bad gardener. It means you are learning the best methods for your homestead and climate.
-A