I use those small plastic takeaway containers, put holes in the bottom, fill with compost, firm and water, sow the seeds on top and then cover with just enough sieved compost to cover the seed, water again with a fine rose, place on heat mat.

I find that in anything deeper than those takeaway comtainers, the soil doesn't get warm enough at the top.

Germination usually takes 7-14 days. Reduce the heat slowly once germinated or they might suffer.

Of course you can sow toms in pots, trays, buckets or whatever you want and heat is optional. Germination will just be longer and more sporadic.

Thank you very much I'll try that for a change. I have yet to by my seeds do you have any personal favourites.

I wouldn't sow them yet, I sow mine in a shallow tray in mid march, and I grow Gardeners Delight as they have to go outside in pots.

I have been successful with seeds saved from tomatoes that we have eaten and enjoyed .
I spread the flesh of the cut tom on to a piece of kitchen paper , fold it over and allow to dry .
It can be planted like that , on the soil and then lightly covered .

i sow mine mid feb.

good varieties i've grown are....

Ilde, hundreds of marble size, sweet yellow toms

Shirley, good all round F1 hybrid

Black cherry...good trusses of purple cherry toms

Balconi red and balconi yellow, larger cherry toms on short plants outside all summer....loads of delicious fruits

I sow in the second half of March, never before. I use a half-size seed tray, put the seed on top of the compost, then just put a pinch of compost over each seed. Cover with clingfilm, then put in the airing cupboard. Wait 48 hours, then start checking every day. As soon as the first sign of a shoot appears, bring it out, remove the clingfilm, and put on a sunny windowsill. Pot into individual pots when the second set of true leaves appear. Even the first week of April is not too late to start

BEGINING OF MARCH AS A RULE, WARM COMPOST UP BEFORE SOWING, TRIED VERIETY CALLED COUNTRY TASTE LAST YEAR, BEEF SIZE TOMATOE BUT REALLY TASTY NOT A LOT OF SEEDS IN THE FLESH

You could try planting some Heirloom tomato seeds advertised on the seed exchange sites for FREE. You usually have to swap some seeds that you have to get them but you can get some really unusual heirloom tomato seeds.

I managed to acquire some pink tomatoes and also a black variety. They were always a talking point when I served them up to people in a salad and I kept them going for years from the seeds, giving as many of the seeds away to people to keep them going as this is the whole idea of growing heirloom seeds.