- It is necessary to start planting seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost date. Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil.
- Two weeks before transplanting seedlings outdoors, dig soil to about 1 foot (30cm) deep and mix in aged compost.
- Set transplants outdoors in the shade for a couple of hours the first day. Gradually increase the amount of time your plants are outside each day to include some direct sunlight. Transplant after last spring frost when the soil is warm.
- Plant transplants about 2 feet (60 cm) apart. Pinch off a few of the lower branches on transplants, and plant the root ball deep enough so that the remaining lowest leaves are just above the surface of the soil.
- If your transplants are leggy you can remedy this by burying up to ⅔ of the plant including the lower sets of leaves. Tomato stems have the ability to grow roots from the buried stems.
Good harvest!