Direct sunlight?

tomacco · February 18, 2009

Hello. I am a new tomato grower. Though I have been gardening for about one year, I have never started plants from seeds before.

Having just built several of Ray's EarthTainers, I would like to populate them with a few tomato plants.

My house is very shaded and there really aren't any windows that get a decent amount of direct sunlight. My question is, do you need direct sunlight for seed germination or is indirect sunlight sufficient?

If I do need direct sunlight, would it be ok to start the seeds outside? I live in SoCal, so typically temperatures are quite mild here. Though lately it's been pouring rain.

Thanks!

amideutch · February 18, 2009

Tomacco, welcome to TVille and I grew up not far from you in Whittier. Seeds do not need light to germinate but once they do Germinate they need light to grow whether artificial or sunlight from a sunny window. If you don't want to set up grow lights then I would suggest getting or making a cold frame you can set outside in a sunny location. This will keep the seedlings from the weather and give a more uniform environment for them to grow in. Just make sure to prop open the top on sunny days so they don't over heat as they are basically a mini greenhouse. Ami

February 18, 2009	#1
tomacco Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 16	Direct sunlight? Hello. I am a new tomato grower. Though I have been gardening for about one year, I have never started plants from seeds before. Having just built several of Ray's EarthTainers, I would like to populate them with a few tomato plants. My house is very shaded and there really aren't any windows that get a decent amount of direct sunlight. My question is, do you need direct sunlight for seed germination or is indirect sunlight sufficient? If I do need direct sunlight, would it be ok to start the seeds outside? I live in SoCal, so typically temperatures are quite mild here. Though lately it's been pouring rain. Thanks!

February 18, 2009	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Tomacco, welcome to TVille and I grew up not far from you in Whittier. Seeds do not need light to germinate but once they do Germinate they need light to grow whether artificial or sunlight from a sunny window. If you don't want to set up grow lights then I would suggest getting or making a cold frame you can set outside in a sunny location. This will keep the seedlings from the weather and give a more uniform environment for them to grow in. Just make sure to prop open the top on sunny days so they don't over heat as they are basically a mini greenhouse. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'