Use 70 g/ha (28 g/acre) of seed, depending on the variety and required plant population. Sow them in the greenhouse 6 to 8 weeks before field transplanting. Tomatoes are generally grown in plug trays to minimize root damage at transplanting. Large cell sizes such as 38s or 72s result in sturdy, early-producing plants, but because of higher costs are generally only used for early plantings. Cell sizes of 200 or more are often used for later plantings. Smaller cells are more cost-effective, but require a high level of management to obtain quality plants. Provide adequate ventilation during the heat of the day, particularly after watering, which should be completed before 1 p.m. Water plants before signs of wilting appear. Harden transplants for about a week before transplanting to the field by slightly reducing the moisture and maintaining approximate outdoor temperatures.

Growing tomatoes using plasticulture provides many benefits. See “Plasticulture”, Planting section of this guide.

See control of Mosaic and Streak in “Disease Control” (this section).

Spacing

Rows 120 cm apart and plants 30 to 45 cm apart in the row, depending on variety recommendations.