Growing Vegetable Plants: General Care for Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, and More

Vegetable Seedling Care: From Box to Harvest

This guide covers the essential steps for establishing and growing healthy vegetable transplants, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and squash.

Upon Arrival

1. Unpack immediately; handle gently.
2. Water if soil is dry (soak pot in saucer for an hour).
3. Place in bright, indirect light indoors or sheltered shade outdoors.
4. Harden off over several days; protect from frost and wind.
5. Transplant to larger pots if outdoor planting is delayed.

Planting Out

• Timing: After frost, when nights are consistently above 50°F.
• Site: Full sun, rich, well-drained soil. Practice crop rotation (avoid nightshade family in same spot for 3 years).
• Planting: Amend holes with compost and low-nitrogen organic fertilizer. For tomatoes (except grafted), plant deeply: remove lower leaves, lay stem in a 4–5 inch trench, cover with soil. Grafted tomatoes must be planted with graft union above soil.
• Water: Water thoroughly after planting; keep moist but not soggy. Provide shade for a few days.

Continuing Care

• Water: Deep, regular watering; reduce as fruits ripen for better flavor.
• Fertilize: Avoid high nitrogen. Mulch with compost. Foliar feed with kelp/fish emulsion if desired.
• Support: Cage tomatoes; stake peppers.
• Pruning: Prune tomato suckers for airflow and fruit quality.

For tomato-specific tips and blight information, see linked resources.