Tomatoes and peppers are two of the first vegetables that can be grown annually. These plants require a very long growing season, and if we want to produce fruit, we should sow the seeds between February and March. Both tomato and pepper plants require a temperature between 15º and 30º; if you live in a cold climate, you'll need a greenhouse to grow them. These two plants belong to the same family (Solanaceae), so their cultivation and maintenance are very similar. Be very careful not to mix the seeds, as they are practically identical.
What are you waiting for so you can enjoy watching your own tomatoes and peppers grow from seed? Below you have an orientation guide so that your seeds grow without problems.
Step 1: prepare the material
- Tomato and pepper seeds
- Seedbed (either pots, cultivation trays, mini-greenhouse ...)
- Substrate (black peat or special seedbeds)
- Water
Step 2: sow the seeds
To increase the germination rate, you can put the seeds in a glass of water for a few hours. Although it is not essential in the case of horticultural plants, it is something that can help us a lot when it comes to knowing how many will germinate.
Once this is done, we will proceed as follows:
- Fill the seedbed with substrate.
- Place the seed (maximum three in each pot or hole in the growing tray) on the surface.
- Add a little more substrate, enough to cover the seeds a little so that they cannot be blown away by the wind.
- Water abundantly.
Finally, we'll place them in a sunny location, and always keep the substrate slightly moist. Also, if you'd like more information on the planting process, we recommend checking out our guide on How to grow tomatoes and peppers from seed.
Step 3: Replicate and transplant
After two weeks, your seedlings will be tall enough so that they can be transplanted successfully. But how do you do it? Too easy! All you have to do is remove the seedlings from the seedbed, and carefully separate them. If the substrate is a bit dry, the task will be easier.
Once separated, you can plant them in individual pots or in the garden. To ensure good growth, it is recommended Staking your cherry tomatoes in a pot, providing the necessary support for its development.
Additionally, it's important to be alert to potential pests that can affect your crops. Learn more about how to prevent them in our section on The most common pests in tomato cultivation.
