So, you have some tomato plug plants. Whether you've carefully raised them from seed or purchased them, the next question will be the same! How do I pot up my tomato plants? In today's Five Minute Friday, I'll talk you through the process of potting up your tomato plants to ensure they get the best start in life and supply you with luscious, sweet fruit.
When Should I Pot Up My Tomato Plants?
The first question to answer is when to pot them up. Ideally, we aim to pot the plants up when they have their first set of true leaves. You can leave it a bit longer than this, but it's a good guide. The true leaves appear after the initial seed leaves. When your plant is producing true leaves, it is a good sign that it is time to give them a bigger home.
What Pot Should I Use for My Tomato Plants?
For the first potting up, a 9cm pot is perfect. It is big enough to give the plant plenty of space to grow, but not so big that you run the risk of the roots sitting soggy for long periods. As well as the size, make sure that your pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
What Compost Should I Use for Tomato Plants?
As you may know, tomato plants are very hungry and can grow very fast. To ensure your plants grow at their best, a good quality multi-purpose compost is ideal. As your plants will not be in these pots for too long, don't worry about any added long-term fertiliser. As long as the compost is of a good quality, your plants will grow well.
How to Pot Up Tomato Plants – Your Step-by-Step Guide
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Prepare your pots: Fill your pots with the compost, leaving them just shy of the top. This will aid watering.
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Remove your plug plant from the cell: If your plug plants are in a cell, be careful how you remove them. You want to avoid any root damage. One tip to do this is to gently squeeze the outside of the cell; this will release the root ball from the edges.
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Plant your tomato plug: Make a hole in the compost just slightly wider than the plug, making sure it is deeper than the root ball. We are going to plant the plug deeper in the pot than it was in the cell. This will encourage the plant to root up the stem, which will result in a stronger plant.
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Water well: Now water your plants well. Gently water over the top, pausing to allow the water to sink into the compost. Repeat the process until the water starts to come out of the drainage holes in the base.
Where to Put Your New Tomato Plants
Tomatoes are not frost hardy, so keep them away from frosts. A windowsill, conservatory, or heated greenhouse is ideal. If growing in an area that gets sun from only one direction, make sure to turn the plant from time to time to avoid it growing crooked. Because of the speed that tomatoes can grow, it is important to consider staking them from the start. This will help support the stem; a small cane or lollipop stick can work really well.
Planting Out
Whether you are considering growing in the garden, a grow bag, or a container, your plants will need to be hardened off before going outside full time. Once the risk of frost has passed, gradually put your plants out for a few hours a day, increasing the time gradually for a week or two until they are used to the weather.
