Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 10, Number 3

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

Start and Grow Tomatoes and Veggies Inside All Year Long

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FEATURE: 3 Things to Know about Grow Lights so You Can Start Tomatoes Indoors

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While natural light offers the full spectrum of color, grow lights for seedlings provide consistency to get your seedlings off to a good start. You can give plants the hours of light they need, at an appropriate intensity, so that they can grow healthy and strong.

That being said, many of us have questions about using grow lights to start and grow tomato seedlings.

Here are three things you must know about grow lights.

• What are the most popular grow lights for tomato seed starting?
  Fluorescent bulbs are a favorite among home gardeners. They are ideal for starting tomato seeds because they give off very little heat and they provide high intensity light. Plus, they are not expensive.
• What are the least efficient grow lights for tomatoes?
  A. Incandescent bulbs emit too much heat, which can burn tender tomato foliage. They also lack blue spectrum light that helps seedlings become stocky and dark green.
• Q. I hear that I should choose a “full spectrum” light. What does that mean?
  A. “Full spectrum” refers to light that contains all colors of the rainbow. Tomato plants require the full spectrum for photosynthesis, although red and blue are most important. Natural sunlight contains the full spectrum of light. The most effective grow lights imitate this aspect of natural light the best.

Read the rest of the most frequently asked questions about tomato grow lights for seedlings … and get more ideas for successfully starting tomato seeds on our Growing Tomatoes from Seeds Pinterest Board.

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200+ New Introductions for the Garden!

From the new Bodacious Tomato to Darkstar Hybrid Tomato to all kinds of seeds, plants and gardening products ..

Be sure to see the latest new introductions for your garden this spring from our friends at Burpee .

And right now, get 20% off your order of $60 or more. Learn more .

Tomato Growing Tip: Why Fluorescent Lights are Gardeners’ Favorite

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Get more tips for growing tomatoes on our Tomato Growing Tips Pinterest board.

Start and Grow Tomatoes Indoors

Tabletop grow light kits – makes it easy to start and grow tomatoes	Germination mat – keeps seeds warm during seed starting from Hydrofarm	Indoor grow lights to start tomato seeds from Gardener’s Supply, others

More about Grow Lights