I just planted out my first set of tomato seedlings, only 4 weeks after sowing the seed.

Yup. 4 weeks. Heresy, I know!

Conventional wisdom has us planting out 12" tall (or bigger!) tomatoes from 4" (or bigger!) pots, 8-10 weeks (or longer!) from sowing seed. That's what I learned, and what I did for years and years. Why would I do something different than all the other, more experienced gardeners? It was just the way things are done, if you know what I mean?

I do not claim to be the deepest expert on tomato growing. Far from it. But I am also kind of allergic to the way things are done, if there isn't sound reasoning behind it. Which is why I think I was more receptive to another idea when I heard it.

When Steve Peters, professional tomato grower and breeder, said he plants his tomatoes out about 4 weeks from sowing, and from 1" cells, I paid attention.

Wait, what? 1" cells? 4 weeks from sowing?

You don't have to do all that potting up? And you can be transplanting tomatoes to the garden only a month after it occurs to you to start the seeds?

I tried it last year, and the results were good. I did it in kind of an offhand way, though, and didn't document the process super well.

I took pictures of the transplant process . . .

. . . and then went about my business and didn't take any more pictures. But I can tell you that these seedlings grew fast and thrived alongside more "traditionally" transplanted tomatoes. The harvests were about the same size and at about the same time.

Like I said, though, it wasn't a particularly formal comparison.

This year, I'm being a little more methodical.

From this square pot with 9 healthy seedlings in it, I've transplanted 2 directly to the garden (which is early for my area, but it's been a warm spring so hopefully I'm not too early!), 3 to 3" pots, and 4 more planted back into the square pot.

I'm leaving them all in the same spot so that temperature and light are the same for all the plants. The plan is to document the plants through the season and keep you updated as to the differences.

Given that my life is pretty upside down right now as we renovate our house (and I'm working as the general contractor on the project), my record keeping may not be stellar. But now that I've told you about this, I feel obligated to follow up, and chances are better!

Another semi-related tidbit about tomato timing and seed starting:

There is currently a major marine heatwave off the west coast of Mexico, up into Central California, and forecast to reach the entire west coast of North America by this summer. Warm ocean temps lead to warmer temps on land, especially overnight, which means a longer and better than average tomato growing season in the west.

If you want to read more about it, here is a detailed post from Weather West about what to expect from the marine heat wave.​

All this is to say, don't despair if you haven't started tomato seeds yet!

Seed sown today could have you transplanting before the end of May, and harvesting through August and September!

Happy Seedurday!

Anne

When you’re ready, here are some more ways I can help you grow a thriving garden from seed:

1. Plan your seed-starting schedule with our ​free printable planner.​

2. Download the free ​Orta Seed Starting Handbook with all the basics you need to succeed with seeds.​

3. Take the guesswork out of watering with Orta Self-Watering Pots. (Find discounted factory seconds here!)

4. Join the Orta Seed Club to have 5 hand-picked, unusual & high-yielding varieties delivered to you every season.

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