Garden-Sown Tomatoes vs. Traditional Indoors-Started Tomatoes
Feature | Garden-Sown Tomatoes (e.g., Groundswell) | Traditional Indoors-Started Tomatoes |
Planting Location | Directly sown in the garden | Started indoors in seed trays or pots |
Planting Time | About 1 week before the last expected spring frost | 6–8 weeks before last expected frost (indoors) |
Soil Temperature | Can sprout in cooler soil | Require warm indoor conditions for germination |
Seed Spacing | Sow seeds 3–4” apart in groups of 3, space group 3-4 feet apart | Usually sown individually in small pots or trays |
Soil Coverage | Cover with ¼” of fine soil | Cover lightly according to seed packet directions |
Seedling Care | Keep soil evenly moist, thin to 1 plant per group at 4” | Need regular watering, adequate light, and careful thinning |
Hardening Off | Not required (already acclimated to garden conditions) | Required—gradually introduce plants to outdoor conditions before transplanting |
Frost Protection | Optional row cover if frost expected | Must wait until after last frost or provide frost protection during transplant |
Emergence Time | 7–10 days | Usually 5–14 days, depending on temperature and variety |
Maintenance Ease | Fewer steps—plant in garden, thin, protect from frost if needed | More labor-intensive—start indoors, water, provide light, harden off, transplant
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Garden-Sown vs. Indoors-Started Tomatoes – What’s the Difference?
Garden-sown tomatoes like Groundswell make life easier because you can plant them straight in your garden about a week before the last spring frost. They’ll sprout in cooler soil, and you don’t need to fuss with indoor trays or hardening off. Traditional tomatoes, on the other hand, start indoors 6–8 weeks before frost and require careful watering, light, and a hardening-off period before they’re ready for the garden. With garden-sown varieties, you plant, thin, and protect from frost if needed—less work, less worry, same tasty results!