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Can You Grow Tomatoes Indoors?
Yes, tomatoes can be grown indoors.
Growing tomatoes indoors is ideal in the winter when it’s too cold for them to grow outdoors.
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If not, you’ll need to acquire some grow lights.
Provide them with plenty of water and protect them from strong drafts.
Indoors, the ideal spot is a bright, south-facing window.
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Rotate the pots every day until the seedlings begin to flower and set fruit.
In northern regions where winter days are short, you may need supplemental artificial light to grow tomatoes.
It helps to have a mechanism for raising and lowering the lights.
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This feature will prevent the plants from becoming too leggy by stretching toward the light.
Grow lights can help keep plants warm if your house generally falls below this threshold.
Humidity typically isnt an issue indoors.
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Watering
Tomato plants like a lot of water.
But they do not like wet feet, so good drainage is essential.
Aim to keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy.
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A consistent level of moisture will help to prevent thetomatoes from splittingand preventblossom end rot.
Inspect the containers often to see if the plants need water.
If the soil feels dry about 1 inch down, its time to water.
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Fertilizer
Tomatoes are heavy feeders.
Use organic slow-releasetomato fertilizerson your plants, following label instructions.
Potted tomatoes typically need a bit more feeding than outdoor in-ground tomatoes.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning tomatoplants isnt essential, but it can help them to be more fruitful.
Determinate varieties should never be pruned.
Prune off small stems growing from the main stem on indeterminate varieties.
These small suckers wont bear much fruit.
By removing them, youll encourage the plant to produce more full-grown fruit rather than foliage.
Pollination
Tomatoes are self-pollinating, meaning they dont need insects for pollination.
Container and Size
A suitable container is essential for growing tomatoes indoors.
The container must be at least 1 foot in diameter and depth, but bigger is better.
In general, the larger the tomato, the larger the pot you will need to achieve a harvest.
Check to see how much space your particular variety needs.
For container plantings, choose a quality, all-purpose organic potting mix.
Once established, tomato plants don’t like their roots disturbed.
Moving Tomatoes Outdoors for the Summer
Considerations
Tomatoes are warm-season plants.
Do not move them outdoors until the weather is reliably warm.
Tomato plants crave warmth and do not react well to cold temperatures.
A tomato plant can become quite large during a summer spent in ideal conditions.
It’s OK to give the plant a pruning before bringing it indoors.
Tomato plants are susceptible to severalpest and disease issues.
However, indoor growth can help to protect them from many of these issues.
Keep to a regular water schedule to prevent splitting fruits.
Most tomatoes are ready to harvest between 55 and 85 days, depending on the variety.
You’ll know it’s time when the fruit has developed its color, and it comes offthe vineeasily.
Gently pull the fruits off the vine and store them at room temperature.
Don’t put them in the refrigerator since it can negatively affect the flavor and texture.
Use them within a few days.
Whensowing tomato seedsindoors, plant them about 1/4 inch deep in a shallow growing tray filled with seed-starting mix.
The soil should be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
Once seedlings emerge and develop at least two sets of true leaves, transfer the seedlings to small pots.
Roots will form all along the stem, resulting in a more robust plant.
Most gardeners grow tomatoes from nursery plants or seeds.
You also can propagate them via cuttings.
Cuttings allow you to create an exact copy of a tomato plant you like.
Heres how:
Plants.
California Poison Control System.
Hardening Off Vegetable Transplants Is Easy!
Michigan State University Extension.
Blossom-end Rot of Tomato Tip Sheet.
Michigan State University Extension.
