Raising tomato, brinjal, chili, cabbage and onion in a seedbed rather than sowing direct improves survival and yield.
1. Preparing the seedbed
Mix soil, compost and sand in equal parts and make it crumbly. Raise the bed 10–15 cm or use trays or pots with holes to avoid waterlogging. In monsoon and fog, add a clear cover overhead.
2. Sowing
- Sow thinly in rows; overcrowding causes damping-off.
- Sow at roughly 2–3 times the seed’s width; very fine seed barely needs covering.
- Water gently through a fine rose so seed isn’t washed away.
3. Approximate germination time
| Crop | Days |
|---|---|
| Cabbage / cauliflower | 4–8 |
| Lettuce | 3–7 |
| Tomato | 5–10 |
| Onion | 7–12 |
| Brinjal, chili | 7–14 |
4. Hardening off
For 5–7 days before transplanting, give seedlings gradually more sun and wind and ease off watering slightly. This reduces transplant shock.
5. Transplanting
- Transplant in the evening or on a cloudy day.
- Water the bed first; lift seedlings with soil on the roots.
- Set tomatoes a little deeper; the stem will root.
- Water in, firm the soil, mulch and shade for 2–3 days.
Seedlings that rot at the base and collapse have damping-off — water less, sow thinner and use clean soil.