I was totally wrong about growing tomatoes from seed

For years I just bought starter plants from the nursery because I figured starting seeds indoors was too fussy. Then my buddy Dave dared me to try it last February and I gave in. I got a cheap seed starting tray from Menards and a bag of seed starting mix for like 12 bucks total. I planted some Cherokee Purple seeds and kept them under a simple LED shop light on a timer. By April the seedlings were way stockier and healthier than any of the nursery plants I used to buy. Plus I saved around 30 dollars compared to buying six plants at the garden center. Has anyone else had better luck with certain varieties when you start them yourself?

3 comments

3 Comments

ward.jamie15d ago

totally wrong about growing tomatoes from seed" - man that hits home. I read somewhere that some heirloom varieties actually produce better when started from seed because the nursery plants are often grown in perfect conditions and then get shocked when you put them in the ground. I've had great luck with Brandywines from seed, they always seem to struggle when I buy them as starts. I did the same thing with a cheap LED light setup and my seedlings were way tougher than anything Lowes sells.

joelt7015d ago

Glad to hear someone else had the same experience with nursery plants getting shocked. I've lost more store-bought starts than I care to admit before figuring out the same thing about starting my own. Sounds like you found what works for you, that's the whole game right there with gardening.

victorhill15d ago

@ward.jamie always had good points but I didn't buy it till now lol.