I'm excited to start a small tomato garden with my daughter! Since I'm not super experienced with growing seedlings, I have a couple of questions. Should I stick to local nurseries for good seed brands or consider ordering from a seed catalog instead? Any recommendations for types of tomatoes to grow, especially for beginners?
3 Answers
Brand isn't that crucial when you're starting out. Even dollar store seeds can germinate well. Focus instead on the type of tomatoes—learning about the differences between determinate (which have a set growth cycle) and indeterminate (which keep growing and producing until conditions aren't ideal) is key. For smaller spaces or containers, look into cherry tomato varieties like Tiny Tim or Round Robin; they're compact and yield sweet fruits!
Seed catalogs can be a fun option if you're looking for unique varieties like Brad's Atomic Grape. But honestly, for your first time, just pick a couple of standard types from your local nursery; you can’t go wrong with that. If you're hesitant about starting seeds indoors, you can simply buy seedlings from a garden center when it's time to plant outside. I'd suggest trying a cherry tomato for sweetness and maybe a medium-sized variety. Just steer clear of plum types unless you're planning to make sauce since they tend to lack flavor. And don't forget to throw in some peas if you're planting them in the ground—it's like a double produce bonus!
You can pretty much grab any seeds from a local shop and expect a good outcome—tomatoes are generally easy to grow, just ensure they get plenty of light and warmth. If you want to check out some specific seed companies, there's a community-curated list online that can help you out! But really, local shop seeds are a safe bet for starting out.