Question
I bought a tomato plant and it needs to be replanted not sure how to do it exactly I am new at this I have miracle grow potting soil and fertilizer can you give me some directions I would really appreciate it.

Answer
Jeannie, tomatoes are one of the few plants that actually benefit from being transplanted.  They, along with peppers and eggplant, are also the only seedlings that should be planted slightly deeper each time.  This is due to the fact that tomatoes grow nodules along the stem when planted in contact with soil.  The more nodules that grow, the stockier and stronger the plant.

You didn't mention how large your current seedling is, but I would transplant it to a larger pot at least once prior to transplanting outdoors.  The general rule of thumb is to use a pot twice the diameter.

Place a little potting mix at the bottom of the new container.  Gently work the seedling out of its current container by lightly tapping the pot on the bottom, while supporting the plant with two fingers across the top, one on each side of the plant.  Never pull the seedling out or you may harm the stem.

Place the seedling in the new pot and back fill around the root ball.  Water until it seeps through the bottom of the new container.  Place the pot under a fluorescent light placed no further than three inches from the top of the plant.  If you do not have artificial lighting, place it in a south or west facing window.

I would not fertilize the seedling until one week prior to transplanting outdoors.  Apply the fertilizer at 1/2 the rate recommended on the instructions. Once you plant outdoors (one week following your last expected frost date), apply a fertilizer low in nitrogen, preferably one recommended specifically for tomatoes.  These fertilizers are high in phosphorus, an essential nutrient for large tomatoes and good production.

I hope this answered your question.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike