If you live in a place where the mercury really drops in the winter, you may be resigned to the fact that there is no alternative but to wait until summer for fresh tomatoes. You may not know that it is possible to grow tomatoes indoors all year round, including winter, with good lighting. A bonus is that you get great tomatoes because they are fresh from the garden and organic.
Here’s how to do it:
Find Your Tomato ‘Farm’ In The Right Place
Tomato plants need a lot of light to grow well and produce healthy produce. Ideally, you should try to grow the plant near the largest south-facing window in your home so that it gets plenty of sunlight.
However, if that isn’t practical, you can find them anywhere with the help of grow lights. It might help if the surrounding walls were painted white to increase the brightness level.
Choose the Right Tomato Plant Varieties
In an indoor environment, space will likely be at a premium so you will need to look for varieties that don’t grow too large. The determination variety is ideal because of its medium size; however, they tend to produce all the tomatoes at the same time. Guide about how to grow tomatoes at home will always suggest surprising plantings for year-round availability.
Plant Right
A 12-inch deep container is okay for growing tomato plants. Purchase a good quality potting mix with only organic elements and put enough in the container to bury the first set of leaves on the stem.
By doing this, you will ensure that the plant will develop roots to the point where the stem is buried, and therefore, will be a healthier and stronger plant. You can provide extra support, if the variety requires it, with tomato cages or simple stakes. Place the plant in a brightly lit area and water it well.
Caring After Planting
Now that your tomato plants are set up, all you need to do is make sure you water them regularly, but be careful of over-watering. If the top knuckle inserted into the potting soil becomes dry, it’s time to water.
To keep your plants healthy and growing well, you need to fertilize them weekly with fish emulsion or seaweed diluted in liquid form. If you want your tomatoes to be organic, remember to stay away from all chemical fertilizers. Once the flowers have bloomed, you can help pollinate them by gently shaking the stems every day or creating a gentle breeze with an electric fan.
Conclusion
There’s nothing too technical about growing tomatoes indoors. The key lies in buying healthy plants or seeds, and with good and reasonable care, you can be sure to have fresh, tasty tomatoes in your pantry every day.
Susan Ellison is a garden and landscaping expert. His article on how to grow tomatoes at home is one of many on growing common vegetables and fruits by amateur gardeners.
