Co-owner of Serres Dame Nature, des Herbes du Lac et de Fleuriste Racine Karé, Rébéca Rouleau is a serial entrepreneur who’s well-known in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. This graduate of economics and agri-food management has businesses that employ over 45 people.
How to choose which varieties to sow
Your personal tastes, the hardiness zone you live in, daily sunshine and plant size in relation to available space are all factors that can help you determine which variety or varieties to grow. You can find many seeds in nurseries and garden centres, as well as online.
Among the most popular ones that are easy to grow are Sungold and Sweet Treat cherry tomatoes, or even Beefsteak and Tasti-Lee tomatoes.
Beyond type and cultivar, you would also need to choose between determinate and indeterminate growth plants. The former stop growing once they reach a certain height, are less productive, and their fruits ripen at the same time; they’re therefore better suited to container gardening. As for the latter, they keep growing and producing fruit all summer long. That’s a benefit if you want fresh tomatoes over a longer period of time.
When to begin indoor seedlings
In your enthusiasm over this new activity, it’s common for some people to start too early. But this is the number one mistake made by novice gardeners. The best time to start your tomato seedlings is between mid-March and mid-April; this ensures the plants will be young and vigorous when it’s time to transplant.
How to sow
The ideal container to use is a pot that’s 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) deep, with holes at the bottom to allow for drainage. Fill it with seed-starting soil, making sure to moisten it first without soaking it. Insert the tip of a pencil to make a hole that’s 5 mm deep. A pinch of mycorrhizae in the hole can help with root development. Place three seeds in the hole, cover lightly with soil, and water using a spray bottle to keep the seeds from displacing. Keep the soil moist by misting it with water daily.
Where to plant pots for germination
Place your pots on a watertight tray covered with a clear plastic dome to create optimal conditions for seed germination. Ideally, place the tray in a moderately lit spot with a temperature between 20 and 25°C. It’s important to protect the seeds from direct sunlight and to keep too much humidity from building up inside the dome. Open it occasionally for ventilation.
When you should expose seeds to full sunlight
As soon as you notice tiny green shoots appear, it’s time to remove the dome. There’s no more risk from sunlight, so the tray can now be placed on a windowsill facing south or west. You can also use a fluorescent lamp and position it about 6 inches (15 cm) above the tray.
About watering
Watering frequency depends on the plant type, as well as ambient temperature and humidity, but it still remains an essential step. Once the soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. Early on, to avoid damaging the fragile sprouts, pour water directly into the tray rather than on the soil. The plants will absorb it from below through capillary action, hence the need for a watertight tray.
How to care for seedlings
When your plants begin producing leaves, select the strongest one from each pot and remove the weaker ones. Once the plants start developing true leaves, you can begin fertilizing using an all-purpose soluble fertilizer. Each time you water, it’s best to use only ⅛ of the recommended dose.
The Mémé de Beauce and Petit Moineau tomatoes are two standout heirloom varieties. The first is noted for its sweetness and fleshiness, its smooth skin ranging from pink to red. The second is a plant that can grow up to 1.5 metres tall and is known to be very productive, yielding up to 4 kg of small cherry tomatoes annually
Starting your tomato seeds indoors is easy. By doing it at the right time, using quality soil and in optimal conditions, you can grow strong, healthy seedlings ready to be transplanted. While you wait, why not get inspired with a few recipes where tomatoes reign!