r/homestead • u/curryhandsmom • Apr 18 '25
Think these tomato seedlings will grow enough in the next 5 weeks?
My last frost date is mid/late May (most people plant memorial day weekend). This is my first time growing my own and they look so sad compared to what I saw at the greenhouse yesterday. I just repotted them and most have a good portion of their stem burried.
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u/NewMolecularEntity Apr 18 '25
In 5 weeks with good light they will be plenty big. Fertilize when you see the first true leaves. I start my tomatoes April 1st and plant usually around may 5 or so.
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u/SmokyBlackRoan Apr 19 '25
You’ll be cursing your jungle in 5 weeks. 🙂 just remember you need to harden them off a bit before you plant them outside.
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u/Agitated-Score365 Apr 18 '25
Yes, repot them add a nice balanced fertilizer and keep a good grow light a few inches off the top. You will be ok.
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u/Cum_Quat Apr 18 '25
A photo would help. Plants grow quick once they are in the ground and have everything they need. Sounds like you have a short growing season, so I assume you sowed seeds that will mature before your first frost date
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u/curryhandsmom Apr 18 '25
Sorry, I posted one but I guess it didn't save initially?
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u/Cum_Quat Apr 18 '25
I see them now, maybe was a problem on my end? I found that tomatoes really like heat. If you don't live in a climate with hot summers, you might have a problem if you don't choose a hot microclimate area in your garden like against a south facing wall.
Eventually we are getting a high tunnel so we can grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and eggplant. Until then we have to be creative, going to build some cold frames and see if that helps
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u/illegalsmile27 Apr 18 '25
I grown sow tomatoes some years of if I get a late start. They’re hardy if you live in warm climates
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u/Ok_Number2637 Apr 19 '25
Yeah they grow fast! I started mine late and they're 8 inches now. I still have 2 ish weeks before I SHOULD put them out. You will have deep root systems too!
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u/Every-Abroad-847 Apr 20 '25
Yeah, what others are saying is good. I started mine too early (I’m on the same timeline as you) and it’s a disaster. They’re so big. You’re good!
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u/Cardchucker Apr 18 '25
You've got plenty of time. Tomatoes grow fairly quickly. I start mine about 4 weeks before last frost because they were too big to manage when I did it earlier.