Is It Too Late to Start My Tomato and Bell Pepper Seeds Indoors?
Asked by G4rd3nF4n90
I'm wondering if it's too late to start growing tomato and bell pepper seeds indoors, given that my last frost date is in 30 days. I'm also curious about the type of soil to use: I plan to put the peppers in pots with potting soil, but the tomatoes will be planted in the ground. Should I stick with potting soil for the tomatoes, or is it better to use the soil from the garden where they'll be going?
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It’s actually not too late to start your seeds! You’ll just need to plant them out as smaller starts. If your growing season is shorter, expect a smaller harvest, but you should still be good for a few fruits. Just remember to harden off your seedlings before you move them outside. As for soil, it’s generally better to use seedling soil or bagged soil rather than dirt from outside, especially for tomatoes in the ground.
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Make sure you use seeding soil, not potting soil; they serve different purposes.
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You're right on schedule! My last frost is just a week later than yours, and I usually start my tomatoes around early April. I prefer to wait until the end of May to transplant them, to avoid any cold nights messing with my plants.
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PlantLover89: Totally agree! Also, consider using a warming pad to help speed up germination.
SeedEnthusiast42: Since I have a 170-day growing season, I think I’m safe to start mine too. I’m planning to grow 5 peppers, and I might get some from a nursery as a backup. For tomatoes, I’m going for 10 plants – my neighbors might not be thrilled!