Tomatoes: Transplanting (6227)

Tomato plants are quite sensitive to frost, so don't set them out too early. Wait until all danger of frost is past and air and soil temperatures are favorable. Between mid to late May is the recommended planting date for our area.

If a late spring frost threatens after you set plants out, you can protect plants by covering them with paper plant protectors, bushel baskets, or small cardboard cartons.

When you transplant, remove the plants carefully from the flat or plant bed. The less you disturb the root system, the faster the plant will take hold after transplanting. Trench in plants with unusually long stems.

Water healthy tomato plants heavily right before you transplant them to the garden. If you add additional water as you set them, allow it to soak into the soil before you pull moist soil in. Press soil snugly against the roots. At planting time, you can use a starter solution of soluble fertilizer dissolved in water to speed growth and reduce transplant shock. Use according to label directions.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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