[Jo Loves Veg]

I'm about to do the big sowing of my toms. I'm excited as I have 3 varieties, 1 (possibly 2) are heritage varieties. I am wondering whether to sow in the small seed plug trays and then transplant into pots in a few weeks, or do them again in half-height loo rolls, with the idea of planting them straight out. can I avoid having to plant them in pots later before planting out on the allotment?

ps while we're here chatting about toms, can I also ask: I did a small sowing a couple of weeks ago (in half-height loo rolls). I put 2 seeds in each one, and most of them have come up -so I have 2 wee seedlings per pot. Is it possible to keep both?

[Daamoot]

I sowed my tomatoes in a 24 cell progagator, one per cell, then will transfer to small pots once the first real leaves appear then pot on again to final pot/ground once they have outgrown the small pots.  I planted a single chilli plant last month straight to a small pot (covered with a clear plastic bag to act as a propagator) and its doing well so I can't see any problems with sowing to a small pot then potting on to its final residence from there, missing out the seed tray step.

I'd avoid having two per pot because they grow to such a large size.  You'd be better seperating them when you pot them on then you could always plant two in a large pot, leaving plenty space between them.

[BabbyAnn]

One of the reasons for potting on, is that tomato plants will exhaust the compost they were growing in as well as allows the roots to grow freely, so a loo roll is not sufficient to keep a plant going until it is time to plant out.

As for where to sow them - tomato seedlings are remarkably hardy and can withstand a little manhandling so long as you are gentle about it and tease them out.  Sown freely in a seed tray and then prick out into individual pots is one way.  I start mine off in a seed tray with inserts with 2 seeds per module and then I can either repot them both or dispose of the weaker seedling.  I don't think I'd bother with toilet rolls.  Individual seed plugs are fine for sowing, but the seedlings must be planted on into pots once they start getting bigger 

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Jo, I usually sow my tomato seeds in individual 3" pots.  I have loads which I bought years ago at auction.  They stay there until they go into the polytunnel and greenhouse.

This year I have started a few off in propagator on kitchen windowsill.  they are growing well and now top is off propagator.  Wasn't sure if they will be okay as Feb is earlier than I usually do them, but no worries if they die.  I still have lots of seeds!

The will go for a while into my bubble wrapped greenhouse which doesn't get as cold as the other one at night.

Don't think I'll do any outside this year.  Grew too many last year I think.  Still got loads in the freezer!

[spottymint]

Grown tom's outside the last 2 years, had no luck what so ever.

Haven't started mine yet, I always sow in March.

[mumofstig]

I sow them singly into modules- it's rare for them not to germinate, so I only grow a couple of spares just in case. 

Then when they get quite big I post them on - until they finally get planted

[JayG]

I seem to now be in the habit of growing 2 of each chosen variety, so I sow 4 seeds of each evenly spaced into 3" pots in mid-March, subsequently separating the plants and potting on individually (discarding the weaker seedlings if appropriate.)

[gremlin]

I need 8 plants.  Generally 2 plants of 4 types.

I sow half a dozen of each type in a 3" plant pot.  Into a plastic bag and into the airing cupboard.  Then prick out the best three examples of each type into their own individual 3" pot.

Tomatoes are the only seeds I prick out.  I have found that messing around with modules only means you have have to pot them on, and I cant get a tray of modules into the airing cupboard without evicting my socks 

[DD.]

Do mine in trays and prick out. Pot the lot on!

[Jo Loves Veg]

really helpful, thank you

[angelavdavis]

Grew too many last year I think.  Still got loads in the freezer!

I so wish I was in the same boat!  It was a sad day in our house when the last few were given to the chickens in October!  Not big enough to freeze or do anything with sadly.

[Totty]

I sow into small modules, 1 in each if they are f1s, a couple per cell if standard seed, thin to strongest. I transplant when the seed leaves are around an inch across into three inch pots with the seed leaves touching the compost. Will pot on again into 5 inch pots as deeply as poss as deeper planting encourages the stem to root which means more nutrient uptake and stockier sturdier better yielding plants than if sown straight into a large pot and left till planting out.

Totty