To some, it may seem like an extra step, but transplanting tomato seedlings actually helps them develop a stronger stem and root system. Transplanting seedlings doesn’t take very much time, and it’s super easy to do.
Why is it important to transplant tomato seedlings?
There are several reasons why we make the extra effort to start our seedlings in very small containers and repot them at least once before they go out into the garden.
If you’re like us, then you’re starting several plants at one time.
It’s easier to get ideal conditions for starting tomato seeds in the small cell trays. Temperature and moisture are the most important factors to getting good germination.
When we start in a 128 cell tray, we can fit more plants in less space which is convenient for placing them on heat mats and under lights.
There’s no food in seed starting mix.
We start seeds in a soilless mixture which contains no nutrients. We don’t want them to stay in that until planting, so we transition them from the soilless mix to potting soil to garden soil.
The transitioning in soil type and container size encourages root growth.
So transplanting helps the seedlings build a stronger root system which makes for healthier plants in the garden.
When to transplant tomato seedlings
Tomato seedlings are ready to be transplanted when they have their first set of true leaves or at least 2 sets of leaves. Depending on the variety, they can be 2-4 inches tall at this stage.
Waiting too long to transplant seedlings can lead to yellowing of the leaves and roots that grow around the edges of the container and even out the holes.
If you realize you’ve waited too long, don’t worry. You can still save them by transplanting, but the longer they stay in their starting container the more they’ll struggle.
How to transplant tomato seedlings
- Get a container at least twice as large as the original container. Your seedling should have a good inch of space all around it when it’s in its new home.
- Fill a bowl or bucket with a 50:50 blend of seed starting mix and potting soil. Wet it until it is evenly moist and holds its shape when squeezed in your hand.
- Fill the new container with your soil mixture and make a hole in the center nearly down to the bottom.
- Loosen your seedling from its container. If there’s a hole on the bottom poke a pencil up there or gently squeeze around the container to help it slip out. It’s easier to remove seedlings from seed starting trays when they’re dry, so don’t water just before you transplant.
- Pinch two of the true leaves together and pull to lift your seedling out of its container. Pinching the stem can damage the vascular supply in it or even kill your seedling. Trust me, it’s okay. Pull them out by the leaves.
- Set your seedling into the hole in the soil in the new container.
- Tomatoes like to have their stem buried, so put your seedling in as deep as you can with at least 1 set of true leaves above the soil surface. Pinch off any leaves that will be buried.
- Fill in around the seedling with soil mix and press firmly. You want to remove any air pockets in the soil.
- Water it well and set it back under the lights.
When you’re transplanting tomato seedlings into bigger pots, you will sometimes notice that they wilt after you move them. It can be a little stressful on the plants especially if you missed some waterings.
If they wilt after you transplant them, make sure you water them well and move them away from the light for a day. Once they perk back up, you can move them back under the lights.
Is transplanting tomato seedlings different than transplanting other seedlings?
Not really.
You can follow the same steps as above for repotting all your seedlings.
Most seedlings will develop roots from any section of their stem that is buried. It’s a great way to improve the strength of leggy seedlings with long, flimsy stems.
Caring for transplanted tomato seedlings
After transplanting, continue to care for your seedlings as you did before transplanting. They’ll need at least 2 weeks to adjust to their new containers before you put them out in the garden.
If you want really lush strong plants, give them a dose of organic liquid fertilizer (this one is the bomb!) every 3-5 days while they’re still indoors.
If they outgrow their new containers, you can transplant them once again using all the same steps. But remember to give them a couple of weeks to adjust before they go out in the garden.
Before you set your seedlings out in the garden, you must harden them off.
Hardening off just means to gradually expose them to full sun over the course of a week or so. To start, set them outside in indirect light for an hour or so, then bring them back indoors.
Every day, set them back outside increasing the time by another hour until they can tolerate full sun for 6-8 hours.
Do you have any other questions about transplanting tomato seedlings?
Let me know in the comments! I’m happy to help!
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