Spring is finally here, and my tomato and paprika seedlings that I planted earlier this year are starting to grow! There’s something special about watching tiny green shoots emerge from the soil, knowing they will eventually provide fresh vegetables. Not every seed sprouted as expected, so I did a little rearranging and even added a surprise flower to the mix.
Tomato and Paprika Seedlings Progress
My Bush Tomato “Balcony” seedlings have now reached about 2 cm in height. Since some seeds didn’t germinate, I carefully relocated a few tomato seedlings to empty spots, making sure each plant has enough space to develop strong roots.
Meanwhile, the Chilli Pepper “Koral” is just beginning to sprout. A few paprika seedlings have broken through the soil, showing their first tiny leaves. It’s always exciting to see them emerge! I’m really hoping these seedlings continue to thrive so I won’t have to buy extra plants from the store to fill my balcony garden. Growing everything from seed makes it feel even more rewarding.
Caring for My Tomato and Paprika Seedlings
Right now, my tomato and paprika seedlings are in their most delicate stage. I placed them on a south-facing window, hoping they get enough natural sunlight to grow strong. While they might not get perfect greenhouse conditions, I’m optimistic they’ll do well with a fair amount of daylight.
I’m also making sure they receive enough moisture but not too much water to prevent root rot. Proper air circulation is key, and I check them daily to ensure they stay healthy.
Soon, I’ll have to start thinking about hardening them off—gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions so they can adjust before I transplant them to my balcony garden.
A Surprise Addition to the Garden
Gardening is even more fun when shared, and yesterday, my daughter wanted to pick a packet of seeds. I loved the idea and let her choose whatever she liked. She went for Callistephus chinensis, a beautiful flowering plant. I hadn’t planned on growing flowers just yet, but I’m happy to add something new to the mix.
Now, alongside my tomato and paprika seedlings, we have a little floral experiment to watch! It will be fun to see how the flowers grow and add some color to our garden.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The next few weeks will be all about monitoring the seedlings, ensuring they grow strong and healthy. I’ll be checking on their progress daily, adjusting their care if needed, and soon, I’ll start thinking about their first round of fertilizing to encourage healthy growth.
Once they are sturdy enough, I’ll begin transplanting them into larger containers before eventually moving them outside. The goal is to have a thriving balcony garden full of homegrown tomatoes and paprika.
In case you want to find out which seeds I bought so far for my balcony and my garden check out my post from beginning of February: Starting My Garden: The First Seeds of the Year.
Do you grow your own vegetables from seed? Have you tried growing tomato and paprika seedlings before? I’d love to hear about your gardening experiences in the comments!
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