Dig a hole that is about the size of the container you are growing your seedlings in. This keeps in moisture and stops weeds from popping up. When your seedlings are approximately 3 to 4 inches in height they are ready to transplant. Give the soil around them a good soak with seaweed extract and water, and mulch them with a straw mulch, keeping it a little away from the stem. How far apart you plant will depend on the variety determinate varieties will need less space but for indeterminate plants I leave about 60cm between each to allow for good airflow. Tomato plants have the amazing ability to grow roots out of anywhere in their stem, so planting them deeply (about 5cm) helps to stabilize the plant. If you are growing in pots make sure they are at least 40cm in diameter and as deep. Your soil or potting mix should be enriched with well-aged compost and manure, and adding a little organic slow release fertiliser or blood and bone will ensure good plant. Pick a spot in the garden that gets a good amount of morning sun. Give seedlings a good water, preferably with seaweed extract, before you even think about planting them out. High winds and hot sun can dry out the tender roots of your seedlings, increasing their transplant shock and getting them off to a wobbly start. In any case you should always transplant in the cool of the morning or on an overcast day. You might find the ones you plant later catch up to those you planted earlier! More cold-tolerant varieties can be planted earlier and you should at least wait until the threat of frost is over. So when is the right time to transplant? Some people say when the soil is warm enough to sit on with a bare bottom! Some say after Grand Final Day but before Melbourne Cup. Excessive heat causes plants to grow leggy. This little dip in temperature overnight will encourage strong, sturdy plants. Nighttime temperatures should be between 60☏ and 65☏. Maybe like me your friendly southern European neighbours have emphatically cajoled you over to their backyard to take home some unidentified-but-guaranteed-big-fat-fruit-bearing tomato plants! In this case, count your lucky stars and try to get invited to the chutney or passata making party at the end of summer. Once your seedlings begin to grow, they should have daytime temperatures ranging between 60☏ and 70☏. Here’s where those who have bought/been given their seedlings can listen in again. Never fear, in another couple of weeks (depending on how warm it is) they will have true leaves and stems strong enough to transplant into the garden or pots you want to grow them in. In about a week or so you’ll see some seedlings rearing their green little heads! The first leaves are called ‘seed’ leaves and look quite different to the ‘true’ leaves of the tomato plant.
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