Recipe for Success
Is there a "best way" to plant my tomato seedling?
Your tomato seedling is probably looking quite tall by now. Thanks to a particularly warm winter, many of our plants have grown faster than normal — but because we’re planting them upside down, this can actually work in our favour!
In our Tropism resource, you’ll learn that roots naturally grow downwards when they start developing. We can use this to our advantage when planting.
Before planting, carefully remove the lower leaves and a couple of the small branches from approximately the bottom 2-3 inches (7 cm) of the stem. When you plant, bury this bare section of stem in the soil, leaving the root ball at the top of your container.
The roots will now have room to grow downwards into the container, while the buried section of stem can also develop new roots. This gives your plant an even stronger root system and helps it get established in its new upside-down home.
So don’t worry if your seedling looks a little tall — in this challenge, tall can actually be an advantage!
How do I know if my tomato seedling survived planting?
Planting is the most challenging part of the process for your little seedling, and it’s also when most failures are likely to happen. That’s why it’s important to spot any problems as early as possible.
Luckily, a process called phototropism makes it really easy to check whether your seedling has survived. You can learn more about phototropism in our Resources section.
Simply check your plant the morning after planting. If your little tomato plant has turned itself around and is reaching upwards towards the sunlight, that’s a great sign! It means your seedling has survived the planting process and is getting ready to grow.
If it’s still looking a little droopy, don’t panic just yet. Give it some time and keep an eye on it — seedlings can be surprisingly tough little things!
What do tomatoes need to grow?
Your tomato plant has three big requests: sun, water and shelter from strong wind!
☀️ 1. Sunlight
I love the sunshine — especially gentle morning sun. But I don’t enjoy getting too hot! A spot with some dappled or light shade during the hottest part of the day is ideal.
💧 2. Water
This is the key to my success! I need enough water to keep me happy and growing, but not so much that my roots are sitting in water and I start to drown. Check me regularly and keep my growing medium moist, but not soggy.
🌬️ 3. Wind
A gentle breeze is great — it helps keep the air moving and can even discourage some unwanted bugs. But strong winds are not my friend! Choose a sheltered spot where I can grow without being knocked around.
How to know when to water?
The best way to know if I need a drink is to lift your Cangro!
Gently lift your can and get a feel for its weight:
💧 Feels light?
I’m probably getting thirsty and it’s time for some water.
🪴 Feels heavy?
I’ve probably still got enough water. Don’t water me just because it’s watering day — come back tomorrow and check again.
As a general starting point, you can give me about 1 cup of water every 2–3 days while I’m still small. As I grow bigger and the weather gets warmer, I’ll start drinking more and may need water more often.
The trick is to get to know your plant. Lift, feel and check! Soon you’ll be able to tell when I’m thirsty just by how heavy I am.
And remember: thirsty is good… drowning is not! Keep my growing medium moist, but don’t leave me sitting in excess water.
How do I grow a really, really BIG tomato plant?
🌱 Feed me!
As I grow, I need nutrients to make all those leaves, stems and eventually tomatoes. Give me a water-soluble fertiliser suitable for tomatoes, and always follow the instructions. In fact, it can be a good idea to start with half the recommended dosage and gradually increase it as your plant grows.
But don’t fertilise every time you water! Let the nutrients work their way through the growing medium and allow excess to drain away. As a general guide, try feeding me every 3–4 waterings rather than every time.
Remember: more fertiliser doesn’t mean more growth! Too much can actually damage me.
✂️ Give me a little TLC
Keep an eye on my growth, remove damaged or diseased leaves, and support my stems as I get bigger. I may need a little help staying upright once I really start taking off!
👀 And most importantly… keep checking on me!
The biggest plants don’t happen overnight. Watch me, learn what I need and give me a little attention every day. That’s how you turn a tiny tomato plant into a really, really BIG one!
What do I do if my plant dies?
Don’t worry! It happens to the best of us. 🌱
Plants can be a little unpredictable, and sometimes, despite your best efforts, things don’t go according to plan.
Don’t give up — plant another one and try again! There might still be time to get your tomato growing and back in the challenge.
And even if it’s too late to win the “Biggest Tomato Plant” prize, there’s still something pretty special waiting for you…
You get to enjoy the fruits of your labour! 🍅
There aren’t many things better than picking a delicious, home-grown tomato that you grew yourself — and taking that first bite knowing you did it.
So keep trying, keep learning and don’t give up on me!