You can grow tomatoes indoors during the winter months.You will be able to feast on a fresh harvest of tomatoes instead of consuming flavorless grocery store tomatoes.If you live in a multi-unit building and don't have access to an outdoor space for growing vegetables, growing indoors is a good idea.
Step 1: You can choose a variety.
When it comes to tomatoes, you can choose between determinate and indeterminate varieties.You should think about which type is best for your purposes.Tomatoes that are indeterminate are ideal for indoor gardens.Unlike determinate varieties, they will climb and need a cage.They will produce fruit all season long.If you are looking for a tomato that will give you a lot of fruit, choose a plum or cherry indeterminate.determinates need more space than indeterminate tomatoes.If you can't fit all of them in your space, try smaller, dwarf determinate varieties.Over a 3-6 week period, these should fruit.Pink Ping Pong, Siberia, Silvery Fir Tree, Tommy Toe, and Yellow Pear are heirlooms.Small Fry, Tiny Tim, and Totem are hybrid indeterminates.Washington Cherry and Gold Nugget are cherry tomatoes.Cherries Jubilee and Terenzo hybrid are hybrid determinates.
Step 2: The tomato seeds should be planted in a starting mix.
Wet your seed starter mix with fresh water.The tray should be filled with a moist mix or soil.The hole in the soil should be 14 inch deep.You can put up to 3 seeds in each hole with a tweezers or your fingers.The holes should be covered with moist soil.You should sow the seeds 60 to 80 days before harvest.You can use plastic yogurt containers if you don't have seed trays.If you are planting seeds in a used container, you should clean it with a 1:10 bleach:water solution.
Step 3: Provide consistent heat and water.
The transformation from a seed to a seedling is called germination.Within five to ten days, tomato seeds will grow.There are several things you can do to speed up the process.After planting your seeds, cover your seedlings with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent the soil from drying out.The cells should be moved to a warm location.The daytime soil temperature should be between 70 to 80F.Purchase a heat mat or place the plant cells in a sunny location if you can't heat the space.Lift the lid and water the seeds.
Step 4: Move your sprouted seedlings to a sunny location.
Tomatoes require at least 8 hours of light a day.Tomatoes will become weak if there is not enough light.The cover should be removed as soon as the seeds have sprouted.If you have a south-facing window, put the cells in front of them.If you don't have a south-facing window, shine a grow-light or fluorescent light on the plants.Artificial light sources should be placed a few inches from the top of the plants.The lamps need to be adjusted as the plants grow.If you keep your plants on a windowsill or in front of a window, make sure they are exposed to light by rotating them frequently.
Step 5: You can transplant your plants into large pots.
Your plants are on the verge of outgrowing their cells as soon as they grow one to two sets of leaves.At this time, transplant the seedlings into a pot that is large enough to hold a mature plant, a five to ten gallon container is ideal.Don't break the roots by removing the seedlings from their cells.Put your palm over the soil by holding the seedling between two fingers.When the seedling emerges, gently tap the bottom of the cell.The roots should be loosened by tickling the outer roots.There are fuzzy hairs at the base of the plant.The hairs will become roots.After transplant, water the seedling generously.
Step 6: When your plants are dry, water them.
You need to water the plants regularly after you transplant them.Stick your finger into the soil to see if it is dry.If the soil is wet, water the plant.Water at a later time if the rest is moist.If the soil is allowed to dry out completely, it will yield rough- bottom tomatoes.
Step 7: Light conditions should be created for the day and night.
Tomatoes need a period of darkness as well as plenty of light.Artificial lights need to mimic the setting and rising of the sun.In the morning, turn on your lights.The plants should be allowed to rest in the dark after twelve to sixteen hours.You can set a timer.
Step 8: The seedlings should be fertilized.
Tomatoes that are indeterminate grow and produce all season.If you want to sustain this intense cycle, you need to provide your tomato plants with adequate nutrition.Within two weeks of transplant, apply your first treatment.Continue to fertilize your plants until they are mature after the initial application.It's a good idea to use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorous.The product has instructions on it.
Step 9: Train your plant.
Indeterminate tomato plants need support from a stake.You can train your tomatoes to grow up a stake or a cage.After a month, you can start training your tomato plants.You will train the main stem if you are using a single stake.Attach the stem with twine every six to eight inches.The twine should be tied in a loose knot.Prune suckers by snapping them off with your fingers as they grow.You will begin training the main stem if you are using a cage.It is harder to get cages over mature plants if you place a cage over the small plant.The main stem should be tied with twine every six to eight inches.Allow the first three or four suckers to remain on the plant.Attach the suckers to the cage every six to eight inches as they grow.Prune new suckers as they appear.
Step 10: Assist in pollination.
Tomatoes are grown outdoors when bees, birds, and the wind distribute their pollen.You must grow tomatoes indoors in a way that mimics this process.Direct a fan towards your plants to mimic the wind.You can shake the main stem of the plant with your finger.You can pollinate the plants with a paintbrush or cotton swab.You can distribute the pollen to the flowers by rubbing these on them.
Step 11: Pick up your harvest.
Tomatoes produce fruit within sixty to eighty days after planting.They will produce fruit all season long.When your tomatoes are bright red, yellow, or pink, you will know that they are ripe.When squeezed, the tomatoes should be soft.To pick the tomato, grasp it near its stem and twist it.