Tomatoes 'Da Inverno a grappoli' (Tomatoes)

Look for short, sturdy dark green plants when you purchase transplants. Try to avoid plants that are leggy, tall, yellowish or have already started flowering. Younger plants tend to pass by older ones when transplanted in terms of fruit production. Cold air and soil can stress young plants, so don't rush them outside until a week or two after last frost, when the nighttime temperature is 45F (7C). Black plastic mulch, row covers and hot caps to keep the soil warm early in the season, or until temperatures exceed 85F (30C).

Plant your seeds 6 - 8 weeks indoors prior to transplanting outside, and avoid planting outside until the temperature is between 75 - 90F (23 - 32C).
By starting your tomatoes from seed you have more choice of where to plant and of which variety. Whatever you decide, make sure they get plenty of sun. Consider a grow light if natural sunlight isn't abundant. Reducing fertilizer and water intake can harden plants before transplanting, but shelter them from cold temperatures. Transplants exposed to 55 - 65F (13 - 18C) weather are more likely to pucker and scar, otherwise known as "catfacing."