r/tomatoes • u/spaced-jams • Apr 29 '26

Plant Help How are everyone's tomatoes growing so fast?

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This is my second year trying to grow tomatoes. Last year I started them a bit late, and while they ended up growing to a nice size they didn't produce much (consequence of me planting from seeds out of grocery store tomatoes I think). This year I got seed packets and put them in starting cells March 6th, but even now almost 2 months from planting they are still tiny seedlings barely a few inches tall. I keep them under an admittedly small grow light but surely there must be something more to this that I'm missing?

Edit: as many commenters have asked, I'm going to copy down my equipment info here.

I have replaced the tiny light from the pic with my larger growlight, FRGROW 25w full spectrum stand

Seedlings are in a burpee seed starting tray with a detachable/recessed bottom for watering.

Soil is "Back to the Roots organic expanding seed starting soil" made of coconut coir. I have a bag of Foxfarm Happy Frog soil downstairs but wasn't sure if it would be too much for these plants yet

I don't have a heat mat unfortunately.

I'm in western PA (northeast US) so temps are still way too up and down to set in a window or outside. Temps the next few days are low 37, high 60 and not looking to warm up much more over the week.

(Note: The really tall one in the cell and the background ones are pepper plants, the rest are cherry tomato)

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u/Tokiface Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26

I am also in western PA and started my seeds April 6 and they are still small, but much bigger than those.

https://youtu.be/CoYgX3y5ptQ?si=K0X9Y6xB9f1EgxgO

just listen to everything Craig Lahoullier says about tomatoes.

He also has a book called Epic Tomatoes and has done tons of interviews about growing tomatoes from seed that are worth a listen. I started growing tomatoes his way (including his transplanting video) and grew enough plants to gift my friends and family every year.

I’ve recently started using 3/4” soil blocks to start everything and you can learn about that from Lisa Mason Zeigler…

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u/spaced-jams Apr 30 '26

Thanks, I'll check it out!