Growing Tomatoes

The Grow Up team

Get a head start on Tomato growing season with these simple tips

How do I get a head start growing tomatoes indoors?

Growing tomatoes at home is a brilliant and simple way to get into growing your own food. It’s rewarding, it’s fun for all the family to see the daily progress…not to mention the benefit of enjoying fresh, delicious tomatoes right from your windowsill.

Sowing your tomato seeds indoors in a propagator is a great way to get a head start on the growing season, especially in a colder climate like here in the UK. Here, we’ll take you through the steps of growing tomato seeds in a propagator on your windowsill.

Planting your Tomatoes

Step 1: Choose Your Seeds and Propagator

Firstly, select the tomato seeds you would like to grow. There are many varieties to choose from, so make sure to get one that is well-suited to your growing conditions and your family’s culinary tastes!

Next, choose a propagator that will fit comfortably on your windowsill. A propagator is a plastic tray with a clear lid that helps to create a warm and moist environment for your seeds to germinate. You can pick them up cheaply at your local garden centre. Something like this will do the job just fine.

Step 2: Prepare Your Compost

Once you have your seeds and propagator, it’s time to prepare the compost. Tomato seeds require a fine seed compost that is light and airy, allowing the roots to grow freely. Fill the propagator with the compost, leaving a small gap at the top for watering. Use a peat-free variety if possible.

Step 3: Sow Your Seeds

Using your finger or a pencil, make small holes in the compost, about 1cm deep. Place one seed in each hole and cover it with compost. Make sure to label your propagator with the variety of seeds you are growing, as well as the date that you sowed them.

Looking after your Tomatoes

Step 4: Water Your Seeds

Water your seeds gently using a watering can or spray bottle, being careful not to wash them away. Your compost should be moist but not soaking wet.

Place the lid on the propagator, making sure it is secure, and place it on your windowsill in a warm, bright spot. Tomato seeds require temperatures between 18°C and 24°C to germinate.

Step 5: Monitor and Care for Your Seeds

Check your seeds regularly to ensure that the compost remains moist. Remove the lid for a few minutes each day to allow some fresh air to circulate, which will help prevent the growth of mould or fungi.

Once your seeds have germinated, remove any weak or overcrowded seedlings and leave the strongest to grow. You may also need to rotate your propagator to ensure that your seedlings receive equal amounts of light.

Step 6: Transplant Your Seedlings

When your seedlings have grown to about 5cm tall, they will be ready to transplant into larger pots or containers.

Fill your pots with compost and carefully remove the seedlings from the propagator, being careful not to damage their delicate roots. Make a hole in the compost with your finger or a small tool and gently place your seedling in the hole.

Fill around the seedling with compost and water gently. We’ve done a dedicated blog on planting your seedlings – check it out here.

Growing Tomatoes and other food inside

If you’re growing other food inside, don’t forget to check out our Getting Started page where we cover everything you need to know on pot-based planting and growing.

Good luck! Once you start harvesting your juicy little beauties, be sure to share any social posts with us. We love seeing all of your growing successes.