Does Growing Tomatoes From Seed Or Buying Them As A Seedling Yield A Bigger Harvest?

Whether you're a seasoned tomato grower or just a beginner, these delicious summer fruits are the cream of the crop for vegetable gardeners. Nothing beats picking a fully sun-ripened tomato from a vine in your garden and biting into that juicy flesh to get a huge flavor explosion in your mouth. But, when it comes to choosing how you're going to grow your next batch, you might wonder whether growing tomatoes from seed or buying them as a seedling is going to yield a bigger harvest. To answer that question simply, a single tomato plant has the same capacity to grow a decent crop of fruits, whether you've grown it from seed or planted a seedling in your garden. So, for a bigger harvest, all you need to do is grow more plants! The most cost-friendly way to do this, however, is by using seeds.

Notably, the only real difference between these two methods is the timing and the economics. Growing tomatoes from seed requires an additional five to six weeks before the plants are ready to transplant into the garden. Many gardeners start the seeds indoors in a seedling tray and then transfer the tiny plants into small pots so that they can put on a bit of decent growth. Then, they need to be hardened off before you can plant them in your vegetable plot. On the other hand, if you've left it a bit late and want to purchase seedlings, these are ready to plant in the garden straight away. On a side note, did you know that a sprinkling of baking soda can make your tomato plants thrive?

If you're looking for a large yield for a smaller investment, then starting your tomatoes from seed is the way to go. Tomato seeds do germinate readily, as long as you buy them from a reputable supplier. As an example, a packet of 125 seeds of 'Mortgage Lifter' from Burpee costing $4.95, will most likely result in at least 100 plants or more. In fact, a lot of reviewers said they had a 100% germination rate. For most home gardeners, that's enough plants for at least four to five seasons, as tomato seeds can remain viable for more than 5 years. As a general guide, a 10 foot row of four to five plants should yield around 15 to 45 pounds, depending on the variety. 

On the other hand, a pack of three plants from the same supplier will cost you around $25, although you might find these cheaper at your local garden center. While these seedlings will certainly save you time and might give you some fresh tomatoes a little sooner, growing tomatoes from seeds will yield a bigger harvest, simply because you'll be able to grow more plants with a much smaller investment up front. Plus, one more reason you should skip the tasteless tomatoes at the garden center, is that you can get a much wider variety of great tasting fruits when you purchase seeds. Finally, you might like to explore the easiest tomatoes to grow in your garden, for a bumper harvest.