New and better ways to plant tomato seedlings without soil and growing rules

Not every gardener can afford the traditional methods of growing seedlings at home. Containers filled with soil take up a lot of space, and turning them every day isn't easy for everyone. The inquisitive minds of breeders and gardeners are finding new ways to grow their own tomato seedlings. Planting tomato seedlings is possible without soil; the seeds themselves can feed the young shoots, as they contain nutrients.

The advantage of soilless germination

The main advantage of the soilless method, known as the Moscow method, is cleanliness and order in the apartment. Large containers of soil left on tables and windowsills for weeks are a real hassle. Moving them and clearing the apartment of loose soil requires a lot of effort.

Other advantages of the soilless method of obtaining seedlings are:

• cost-effectiveness – no need to buy soil, containers, and much more;
• protecting tomatoes from fungal diseases (black leg) spreading through the soil;
• significant reduction in the adaptation period of young plants during transplantation (by 2 weeks), since the roots are not damaged;
• ease of implementation and easier care of sprouts;
• convenience when picking, you can select individual plants as they are ready for transplanting.

Many women consider clean hands and the absence of dirt under their nails to be a plus – an inevitable consequence of working with soil.

This method is convenient for germinating expired or questionable seeds - the costs are minimal if they do not germinate.

Important: when using the soilless method, do not delay transplanting the seedlings; tomatoes are transferred to the soil immediately after the leaves appear.

In what cases is the method suitable?

When sowing using the Moscow method, you can start growing seedlings later. Therefore, this method is suitable if you were unable to plant the seeds in the ground on time and cannot meet the deadline. Soilless planting is also convenient when the quality of the seeds is questionable, and it's uncertain whether they will germinate at all.

When transplanting, seedlings can be planted directly into hotbeds or greenhouses, completely eliminating the hassle of handling soil and boxes for tomato seedlings in apartments.

The Moscow method facilitates seedling establishment, reducing trauma to the plants during transplantation. The adaptation period is shortened when transplanting to a permanent location in a greenhouse or individual containers filled with soil. Late planting increases daylight exposure, which positively impacts the growth and development of tomatoes.

What you need for sowing

When growing tomatoes without soil, you need to choose a seed placement method and prepare the necessary materials. You'll need waterproof containers, toilet paper, and warm water for irrigation. Transparent bags or pieces of plastic are good for covering the seeds.

The seeds need to be sorted, and if desired, you can stock up on stickers to label the tomato variety. Tweezers are helpful when laying out the seeds. Any containers used—bottles, containers—should be washed and disinfected.

How to prepare tomato seeds?

Tomato seeds for growing without soil are prepared in the usual way:

• sort - remove damaged and too small ones;
• check for germination by placing it in a glass of salted water;
• disinfect in a solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide.

You can soak them in a growth stimulant. It's worth noting that many gardeners, due to the low difficulty and cost of growing them, use expired seeds and still get a good harvest.

Methods and technology of seed sowing

Gardeners' imaginations know no bounds, and they use a variety of improvised means for sowing seeds—plastic containers, bottles, tea bags. With experience, everyone finds the most suitable method for planting tomato seeds, focusing on saving space and ease of transplanting.

In plastic bottles

The easiest and most convenient way to grow tomato planting material:

1. A transparent white bottle is cut in half lengthwise.
2. Place 5-8 layers of toilet paper or soft, uncolored napkins on the bottom and moisten them with water without excess moisture. Excess water is then removed.
3. Spread the seeds out and cover with one layer of paper soaked with a spray bottle.
4. Place the bottle in a transparent plastic bag.

The seeds need warmth and sunlight. Every few days, open the container to ventilate and check for moisture.

In diapers

The diaper method is used to transplant seedlings after transplanting. They are grown in pieces of polyethylene with a small amount of soil. The technique:

• cut pieces of film into 20-30 centimeter squares;
• stepping back 2-3 centimeters from the top, put 2-3 tablespoons of soil;
• place the root of the seedling on it so that the grown leaves protrude above the film;
• cover the roots with another spoonful of soil;
• wrap the plastic in a diaper, securing the soil with the root inside and the leaves outside;
• secure the bundle with a rubber band and place it in a container.

As the seedlings grow, the diapers are unwound, soil is added and they are watered with water and fertilizer.

In paper rolls

This method of sprouting tomatoes is called "self-rolling," and it truly saves space on the windowsill. Using this method, you can grow a large number of seedlings in a limited space.

Work scheme:

• cut strips of polyethylene measuring 10 by 50-60 centimeters;
• place wet toilet paper on them;
• tomato seeds are laid out on paper in a neat row, 1-1.5 centimeters from the edge, the distance between seeds is 4-5 centimeters;
• cover the laid seeds with a second layer of film on top;
• loosely and carefully roll up a three-layer roll, securing it with an elastic band or rope without squeezing;
• the roll is placed in glasses, adding no more than 3-4 centimeters of water, and covered with film to create a greenhouse effect;
• The water is changed regularly, not allowing it to stagnate; mineral fertilizers can be dissolved in it.

When individual seedlings are ready for transplanting, the roll is unwound and the plant and paper are cut out, placing the seedling in the soil. The remaining part is rolled up and continued growing.

In sawdust

Growing tomatoes in sawdust is an excellent way to protect the roots from damage during transplantation. The fine material falls off easily, without damaging the root system.

For planting, you'll need a container no taller than 15 centimeters and sawdust. Here's how:

1. To disinfect sawdust, pour boiling water over it, dissolving potassium permanganate in it (color - pale pink).
2. The container is lined with polyethylene and filled with sawdust to a depth of 7-8 centimeters.
3. Make furrows and lay out the seeds. Plant tomatoes 2-3 centimeters apart.
4. Sprinkle with a 1 cm layer of sawdust.
5. Place the seeds in a warm, bright place, covered with plastic. Remove the plastic when seedlings appear.

Water the seedlings with warm water.

In rolls of polyethylene film

Toilet paper or napkins are used in rolls of polyethylene film, on which the seeds are placed:

• polyethylene is cut into pieces of 10x50 centimeters;
• Place wet paper on top;
• stepping back 1-2 centimeters from the edge, place the seeds at a distance of 3-4 centimeters;
• cover with a second piece of film and roll into rolls, fasten.

The roll is placed in a container with water at the bottom. It should be ventilated regularly and the paper layer should not be allowed to dry out.

In PE bags

This method of planting tomatoes uses soil. It's moistened, poured into a bag, and sealed tightly. Holes are made in the bottom and the bag is placed on a tray. To sow, holes are made in the bag for each tomato, and the seeds are buried 1-1.5 centimeters into the soil. Watering is done every two weeks.

On tea bags

A convenient, quick planting method if you've saved up used bags in advance. Some gardeners even use new ones.

The technology is simple:

• cut off the tops with threads, opening the tea;
• place a tomato seed on well-soaked tea leaves;
• Place the bags in a container, sealing them with cotton wool or paper; it should not be very high;
• moisten when dry using a spray bottle.

The seedlings are planted in individual pots or in a greenhouse along with the bags. The tomatoes take root well and are disease-free.

From eggshells

Some people even use eggshells as trays for growing tomatoes. They're washed thoroughly before use, and a hole is made in the bottom with a needle.

A piece of toilet paper or a little soil is placed on the bottom (in this case, the method can hardly be considered completely soilless). The egg containers are placed in store-bought crates or boxes. When transferring to the soil, the shells are slightly broken and planted along with the shells, thus providing liming to the soil.

Video and step-by-step photo instructions for the procedure

Many gardeners use the soilless method of growing tomatoes. None of the methods described are difficult and easy to master; they only require some skill and confidence.

Experienced gardeners are happy to share their experiences.

The main mistakes inexperienced gardeners make when growing tomatoes include insufficient or excessive moisture in the paper base, too little space between seeds, and the resulting entanglement of the root systems of neighboring plants. These problems can be avoided with experience.

Gardeners are constantly searching for new methods for growing their beloved tomatoes. Working in the soil is creative, and there are no limits to imagination. The soilless method is deservedly popular among gardeners due to its savings in effort, time, and windowsill space. This method also helps protect seedlings from fungal diseases. Choosing the most convenient method for growing seedlings is up to the gardener.