Tips for planting tomatoes with kids, especially in climates where you can get surprise cold snaps in spring.
It’s too cold to plant outside in Massachusetts, but yesterday we got a start on our gardening by planting some tomato plants. I hope the kids gather fresh flowers to decorate their box of plants every day!
It always amazes me that tiny seeds can grow to be tall tomato plants!
And Johnny’s love of the outdoors always thrills me! This boy loves nature!
Tips for Planting Tomatoes
Here’s another cool handy tip if you live in a cold climate like Massachusetts and don’t have a greenhouse. You can use tomato cages and simply wrap greenhouse plastic around them. You can pick up both of these for pretty cheap at your garden supplies store, and it can keep your tomatoes just a little bit warmer.
This method certainly is not a substitute for a greenhouse, but it can help you get through those surprise cold snaps that tend to pop up in early spring in northern areas.
How to Use Tomato Cages and Greenhouse Plastic to Protect Tomatoes
Tomato cages are a very space-efficient way to grow tomatoes.
First, stick your tomato cage in the ground so that it surrounds your tomato plant. Wrap greenhouse plastic around the cage from top to bottom and secure it however is convenient for you. One good way is to use a bit of garden twine
This method works best in places that get a bit more sun, since the plastic will have more heat to retain.
More Tips for Planting Tomatoes
That’s just one tip, but you still need to get the basics right, so check out this handy graphic from Sproutabl’s guide to planting and caring for tomatoes:
If all goes well, these plants will be growing well by Earth Day, April 22nd! Do you have special plans to celebrate? Do you have any more tips for planting tomatoes and growing tomatoes to share? Please share in the comments below, or on my Facebook page. You can also tag me on Instagram – I would love to see photos of this activity if you try it with your kids! Sign up for my newsletter to receive book recommendations, crafts, activities, and parenting tips in your inbox every week.
sherri says
My kids are all over me to plant a garden…I am horrible at getting a garden to survive..but I think we will attempt a small one…and some flowers!
Aleacia @ Dilly-Dali Art says
we planted tomatoes in our garden too! Can’t wait for some yummy tomato sandwiches
maryanne says
Garden-fresh tomatoes are the best!
Jenny says
Fun! Dave and Abby plant basil together every year. He uses it for homemade pizzas.
maryanne says
Fresh basil must make amazing pizza sauce! Maybe we’ll try planting some – thanks for the inspiration :)
Katey @ Having Fun at Home says
Basil and tomatoes are good companion plants. I don’t really understand why, but somehow they help each other grow better.
maryanne says
That’s really interesting! Maybe we’ll plant some basil…
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky says
I really must try some planting with my girl, we got the weeding done on the weekend, that was a start :)
Elisa | blissfulE says
Yea! Good luck, little tomato seeds! They should start out well in such a beautifully decorated home. :)
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
We were forecast snow at the weekend so I decided to wait to do the tomatoes until it wamrs up a little more as our windowsills are taken up by peppers and cucumber plants at the moment.
maryanne says
Snow in April in the UK?! Freezing temperatures are still very common here, so our tomato seeds have to live inside. I am hoping to try some peas (which, I believe, are supposed to be quite hardy?) outside – this afternoon or tomorrow!
Jackie says
We leave our tomato planting up to my dad. He gets them started and then he brings one tomato plant up and plants it in a large container on our side deck. He even sets up the cage for it to vine. All I have to do is walk outside and pick ;)
maryanne says
That sounds like the perfect arrangement, Jackie!