![]() Keep in mind that these temperatures refer to soil temperature, not air temperature. The ideal (optimal) temperature for tomato seed germination is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 to 29.4 degrees Celsius). If the soil is any warmer than this, germination rates will decrease.Ĭombined with high humidity, high temperatures encourage the growth of mold, which is another threat to your tomato seeds (and seedlings). The maximum temperature for tomato seed germination is 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). ![]() They take quite some time (up to 6 weeks!) to sprout in such cool soil. ![]() The minimum temperature for tomato seed germination is 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). ( You can find the last spring frost date in your area with this tool from the Old Farmer’s Almanac). This is why it is often suggested that you transplant tomato starts outside a couple of weeks after the last spring frost date. ( You can learn how to protect tomato plants from cold and frost here). Since tomato plants are vulnerable to cold (and are killed by frost), you don’t want them to emerge from the soil before the danger of frost has passed. If the soil is any colder than 50 F, you will see low germination rates – that is, if you can get any seeds at all to germinate! This is nature’s way of protecting tomato seeds from sprouting at a time when they will be unable to survive. At this temperature, it can take up to 6 weeks for seeds to sprout! Below this temperature, don’t expect much to happen at all. For example, if the germination rate is 95%, then you would expect 95 seeds to sprout out of every 100 seeds that you planted. ***Note: You can find the germination rate on the seed packet itself. ( You can learn about germination rates and how to do a seed viability test here). Soil temperature also has an effect on germination rate, or the percentage of seeds that sprout. The temperature of the soil (growing medium) will affect the time it takes for seeds to germinate. In fact, it is one of the biggest factors that determines how long before tomato seeds sprout. We’ll start with soil temperature Soil Temperature ![]() Let’s dive into more detail on each of these factors that affect tomato seed germination. Tomato seed germination time depends on several important factors, including: Tomato seed germination time depends on several factors – let’s get into some of those now! What Factors Affect Tomato Seed Germination? Tomato seeds will usually take 6 to 11 days (1 to 1.5 weeks) to germinate under ideal conditions. (If you want a complete seed starting walkthrough with video and other resources, check out our seed starting course today!) In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the factors that affect how long tomato seeds take to germinate. We’ll also show you how to optimize these factors and encourage faster tomato seed germination time. Of course, you have two choices when it comes to tomato seed germination: you can sow seeds directly in the soil outdoors (best for warm regions), or you can start them indoors to transplant outside several weeks later (best for cold regions). You can see how soil temperature affects seed germination with this app I made! The germination rate of tomato seeds depends on their age. Tomato seeds also germinate faster with proper soil moisture. The best soil temperature for tomato seed germination is 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 29 degrees Celsius). So, how long do tomato seeds take to germinate? Tomato seeds germinate in 6 to 11 days in ideal conditions. You may also be curious about how to reduce tomato seed germination time and speed up the process of sprouting. If you are planting (or have already planted) tomato seeds, you are probably wondering just how long they take to sprout.
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