How to Plant Tomato Plants in Pots

Overview

Tomatoes are one of the easier vegetable plants to grow in the home garden. Even if you are short on space or live in an apartment, tomatoes are a possibility as long as you have an area outside that receives full sun. Many tomato varieties grow well in containers, which take up very little space. Choose determinate varieties that don't get too tall, or pick from one of the many dwarf varieties now available specifically for container gardening.

Step 1

Start seeds indoors six weeks before the last expected spring frost in your area. Fill seedling pots with soil and moisten it thoroughly.

Step 2

Sow each seed on the soil surface. Cover the seed with ¾ inch of soil and moisten it by sprinkling water on top.

Step 3

Cover each pot with a plastic bag and set in a warm area to germinate, somewhere between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit works well.

Step 4

Remove the plastic bag once sprouts appear, after approximately 7 to 14 days. Move the pots to a warm, sunny windowsill or place under grow lights for about 12 hours a day.

Step 5

Remove the plastic bag once sprouts appear, after approximately 7 to 14 days. Move the pots to a warm, sunny windowsill or place under grow lights for about 12 hours a day.

Step 6

Transplant one seedling per container after the last spring frost date. Plant the seedlings in the center of each pot 1 inch deeper than it was in the seedling pot.

Step 7

Place the pot where it receives full sunlight throughout the day. Keep the soil moist at all times, watering as needed.

Step 8

Fertilize once ever one to two days with a nutrient solution. Dissolve 2 cups of 10-20-10 fertilizer in 1 gallon of warm water. Mix 2 tablespoons of this solution with 1 gallon of water each day and use this to water the plants.