Have you ever grown tomatoes or flowers, starting with seeds?  If you have, and had at least a little success, you can grow tobacco plants from seed.  Even if you've never started any kind of plant from seeds, you'll see here that it's fairly simple, and a complete novice can learn how to do it with very easy instructions.

So let's get started!  Materials you will need:  Tobacco seeds—check online, many reputable seed dealers offer tobacco seed, in a wide range of varieties; Starter trays and sterile starting mix; general purpose potting soil; 3 or 4 inch plastic flower pots OR cell trays.  All these items should be available at your local garden center, or may be purchased online.

Growing tobacco plants from seed begins indoors.  Even commercial tobacco growers start their plants in greenhouses or large sheds, or they purchase young plants from greenhouses that specialize in growing tobacco plants from seed.

No, you don't need a greenhouse for the quantities you'll be growing for your home tobacco garden.  A card table set up in an out-of-the-way corner works great.  If your basement is warm, that could suffice as a plant starter area.  Look around your house for a spot that is not in the way of day-to-day activities.  Short on space in your home?  The top of the refrigerator makes a cozy nursery for your tiny seedlings. 

Seeds should be started indoors about six weeks before the last expected frost for your planting zone.  The ideal temperature for germination is about 75-80 degrees F. 

1. Fill the starter trays with the starting mix.  Tobacco seeds are extremely tiny—about the size of ground pepper, so be careful not to sow too thickly.  Sprinkle seeds lightly on the surface of the seed mix, and then lightly water in.  Do not cover the seeds with soil, as they require light and air to germinate.  Keep soil moist; do not allow it to dry out.  It is best to use a spray bottle and mist from above, or water from below. 

2. Your tobacco plants will begin to germinate in 7-14 days.  The exact time can vary, depending on the temperature and particular variety of tobacco.  I repeat, it is important to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, at all times.  If watering from above, take care not to wash out the seeds, or the tiny seedlings after they germinate.  It's best to use a mister to keep them damp at this time.

3. About three weeks from the time the plants germinate, they will be ready to transplant into pots or cell trays. If you wait until the largest leaf is near to the size of a dime, you may find they're easier to handle during the transplanting process.  Fill the pots or cells with general purpose potting soil.  Make a small hole in the center of the soil, and insert the roots of the seedling, then backfill with a little more soil.  After the plants are potted up, water in with a good fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro.  If you are planning to go organic, try a seaweed/fish emulsion or weak manure tea.  This initial fertilizing should be sufficient until it is time to transplant.  If the plants start to appear yellow or stunted, another feeding may be needed.  But if you do so, apply very sparingly, as roots can be easily burned while they are in trays or pots.

4. You can begin preparing the planting beds during this time.  The plants will be ready to transplant to the garden in about another 4-5 weeks.  If you are still experiencing cold weather, the plants should be hardened off for one to two weeks before transplanting outdoors.  This allows the plants to adjust to outdoor conditions.  (If weather is favorable, and plants seem strong and vigorous, this step can probably be skipped.)  Plants should be spaced about two to three feet apart.  If you have enough room, rows should be about 3 ½ -4 feet apart.  Water the plants thoroughly as soon as they are planted.  If  there is no rain, they should be well watered in the evenings for the first 3-4 days, to give them a chance to get established.

As you can see, growing tobacco from seeds, is very simple.  Basically as easy as starting tomatoes, most other vegetables, or even flowers from seed.  You're on your way to growing your own cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco or chew.  You'll save a ton of money–possibly thousands of dollars per year.  There is another benefit to growing your own tobacco from seed:  Your own pure, natural tobacco does not contain the additives, chemicals, and residues found in 'store bought' tobacco products.  Many researchers believe these additives exponentially increase the health risks associated with smoking. 

Kathy Jones is an avid gardener and a smoker.  She is now growing cigarettes in the backyard, and looking forward to saving several thousand dollars next year.  For more information and tips about starting and growing tobacco plants, please visit:  Growing Tobacco 
For some really frightening information check out In A Cigarette, Anyway?