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Tomatoes are a warm-season crop and develop best when temperatures are between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In Michigan, many gardeners plant tomato transplants around Memorial Day at the end of May. If you like to start your tomatoes inside from seed, it is best to start six to eight weeks before moving them outside.
When should I start my seeds in Michigan?
Generally, start planting seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost date. Michigan’s last frost date is generally recognized as May 15th. Seeds are best sown directly in the garden when the soil has warmed to approximately 70 degrees. In Michigan, this is usually in May or June.
What month do you start tomato seeds?
Generally, the time to start your seeds is about 6- 8 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area, planting the seedlings outdoors about 2 weeks after that date.
When should I plant tomatoes indoors in Michigan?
Late May/Early June: seeds of sweet and pop corn, beans, squash, melons, cucumbers, sunflowers Transplant: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet potatoes, basil, celosia, marigolds, snapdragons, salvia, begonias, impatiens, coleus, geraniums, petunias.
Is it too late to start tomato seeds indoors?
Is it too late to start tomatoes? Definitely not. You can plant tomato seeds anytime in the spring. Many people around here don’t sow them until April, as they are fast germinators and fast growers.
When should I start my garden in Michigan?
When to plant This is usually late March or early April in southern Michigan and one to three weeks later further north. Fall garden planning should be made in July through maybe September.
Can I start tomato seeds in March?
March is the perfect time to get those tomato and pepper seeds started indoors so they can be ready for an early spring planting! Also now is a great time to start planting cool weather vegetables that can withstand those last frost days of March and April.
Should I soak tomato seeds before planting?
ANSWER: Soaking your tomato seeds before planting, or letting them sprout on a damp paper towel, can help increase the rate of successful germination, resulting in more healthy plants that make it to your garden. To germinate tomato seeds on a paper towel, moisten a single paper towel so that it’s damp but not soaked.
How long does it take for tomato seeds to sprout?
Tomato seeds typically germinate in 5 to 10 days if given optimal conditions. You’ll know seeds have germinated as soon as you see green plant emerging from the growing medium. That’s a time to celebrate. The rate of germination for a particular packet of tomato seeds depends on the source and age of the seed.
What can you plant in March in Michigan?
These include leaf lettuce, onions, parsnips, mustard greens, beets, peas, carrots, turnips, cabbage, spinach, kohlrabi, cauliflower, radish, celery, Swiss chard, kale and collards.
How do I start seeds in Michigan?
Use a seed starting mix and sow seeds at a depth of 0.25 inch spaced about four seeds to the inch. Thin to 2-3 inches apart or transplant them to 2-to-3-inch pots after they form the first true leaves. Keep lights on 16 hours a day and about 3-4 inches above the plants.
How do you grow tomatoes in Michigan?
Sunlight: Tomatoes need full sun (eight or more hours a day) and warm soil for good yields. Soil: Plant in well-drained, loose soil. Fertilizer: Get a soil test done and follow the recommendations. Beware of using too much nitrogen — you may grow a large, lush plant without much fruit.
Is April too late to plant tomato seeds?
Sow seed indoors around the middle of March to the end of April if you intend to grow your tomatoes outside. For growing in a cold greenhouse, seeds may be sown at the end of February – indoors of course!.
Can I plant tomatoes outside in April?
Sow early, but not too early – March or April – in a heated propagator. Sow an early variety if you want the quickest possible harvest (Real Seeds has a good selection of early tomatoes). Tomatoes stop growing once the temperature drops below 10-12C at night, and ideally they need 15C in the day.
Is April too early to plant tomatoes?
If you prefer to plant by the calendar, we usually reach the desirable soil temperatures in late April. Optimal tomato-planting is anytime from late April through May, and plants set out in June will still have time to give good yields here. If you find it uncomfortably cold, so will your tomatoes.
What can I plant in April in Michigan?
What to Plant in April in Michigan Beets. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts. Cabbage. Carrots. Cauliflower. Kale. Lettuces.
When should I plant my vegetable garden?
Wait until after the last frost (mid-to-late May) before transplanting tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, summer squash, basil and similar “warm season” crops. Warm season crops need a long growing season. They will not mature if seeded directly in the garden. Begin warm-season crops later than cool-season crops.
When can you plant lettuce in Michigan?
Lettuce is a cooler weather crop, so it grows well in Michigan. Greens, including spinach and lettuce, need well-draining soil that are rich in nutrients. Most varieties are frost hardy, so plan to plant them outside in April.
