Purchasing Tomato Seeds



Big Beef Tomato



If you're going to raise your tomatoes from seed, you should decide what varieties you want (see What kind of tomatoes should I grow) and get them purchased.  If you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to find the variety that you want.  I've ordered mine through Gurney's catalog for many years because I know the seed will be exactly what it says it is and the seed will have 100% germination.

 

If you purchase seed from a retail store, MAKE SURE they are a well known seed brand.  A few years ago, I was in a store that had a big rack of "cheap" seed packets so I picked up a few packs of radishes, spinach and lettuce.  They were $ .19 each and when I planted them, I got about 25% germination.  Not so cheap after all!

Don't wait too long!  You should have your seed, peat pots, potting soil and seedling tray well ahead of time.  I live in Iowa so I don't start my tomato plants until the end of March but I had them on order and received them in the mail yesterday, March 2nd.

Catalogs are a great way to get your supplies because you can relax in your home and peruse all the gardening supplies then order online without leaving your home and fighting the crowds.

For more information, visit my website http://www.rmarketplaceonline.com/raisingtomatoes.html

Sharing my experiences to help you with yours!
Tomato Rog