Do Direct Sown Tomatoes Send Roots Deeper Than Transplants?

Season and Temperatures

• Tomato seeds and seedlings require warm soil and air temperatures for germination and rooting. They will not thrive in temperatures under 50 degrees Fahrenheit and do best with temperatures over 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow the seeds or seedlings in an outdoor garden after the last frost lifts to protect them.

Soil Preparation

• Tomato seeds and seedlings produce the same plant-specific root structures during their growth but require the right soil mixture to do so. Mix 5 inches of organic compost into the top 10-to-12 inches of soil to give tomatoes loose, moist and nutritious soil for root expansion. The plants can't grow their roots in tight, thick soil. The University of Missouri Extension recommends adding granular 6-24-24 or 8-32-16 starter fertilizer to help the new plants or seeds build their roots.

Plant Tomato Seeds

• Plant tomato seeds 1/2 inch deep at every 12 inches in the row. Leave 4-to-5 feet between rows for gardening space. Expect germination in ten to 14 days. Thin the seedlings when they reach 3 inches so that the healthy seedlings are 24-to-36 inches apart.

Plant Tomato Seedlings

• Plant tomato seedlings every 24-to-36 inches in the row, with 4-to-5 feet between rows. Dig holes deep and wide enough for the existing root balls and loosen the roots and soil before planting. Pack amended soil firmly around the plants to secure them. The University of Missouri Extension recommends adding another phosphorous-heavy fertilizer like 10-52-17 or 15-30-15 to help the transplanted roots re-establish.