What are the best months to plant tomatoes?

When to plant tomatoes

Tomatoes can be planted in spring from February to March, and in some areas from July to August. Due to the large differences in the climate environment in each region, the time for planting tomatoes in each region will also be different, and the temperature environment in the four seasons is also different. If sowing in spring, it is best to choose February to May. If sowing in autumn, a greenhouse needs to be built, otherwise it will affect the plant emergence rate.

Tomato harvest time

Tomatoes mature from June to August and can be picked and put on the market when they are ripe. Summer is the peak season for eating tomatoes. Generally speaking, the growth cycle of tomatoes goes through the germination period, seedling period, flowering and fruiting period, and fruiting period. Its growth cycle takes about 110 to 170 days.

Tomato planting methods and key points

1. Seed treatment

Before sowing tomatoes, the seeds need to be soaked in warm water. This not only breaks the seed dormancy and promotes germination, but also has the effect of sterilization. First soak the seeds in clean water for 1-2 hours, then put them in 50-60 degrees warm water for 15 minutes, stirring constantly during the period, and then soak for another 3 to 5 hours before sowing.

2. Seeding and planting

Tomatoes are suitable for planting in loose and fertile soil. Renovate the soil in advance, then sow the seeds evenly in the seedbed. The sowing should not be too dense. Keep the soil moist. The temperature should be between 22-28 degrees. It will germinate in about 3 days. Wait until the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves and the ground temperature stabilizes at around 10 degrees, then they can be transplanted.

3. Field management

After planting, inter-row cultivation and weeding are required, and the soil needs to be loosened in time and base fertilizer applied. This way, no fertilizer is needed in the later stage. If you want it to grow quickly, you can apply topdressing 1-2 times. Water the plants immediately after fertilizing to reduce fertilizer damage and avoid burning the roots. Normal watering also needs to be based on seasonal climate changes. Water if the soil is dry, and take drainage measures during the rainy season.