subject: Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Winter Tomatoes [print this page] Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Winter Tomatoes
Is growing winter tomatoes possible or just a waste of time? If you are a novice or not we always get frequently asked questions about growing the best and full flavored homegrown tomatoes, especially growing tomatoes inside during the winter unless you are already an expert on this field.
Let us help you find solutions to obstacles and gardening mistakes that might have hindered you or made you hesitant on how to care for your tomato plants this winter.
The first question is how can I grow tomatoes inside winter season?
Actually growing tomato plants in the winter season is quite easy plus you can have the ease to move it around and isolate your tomato pots when the weather gets rough. You can cultivate your tomato seeds or seedlings in a greenhouse or in containers inside your house. To start you may use an egg shell wherein you can nourish your seed.
The first thing you must do is thoroughly clean the shell, let it dry then pierce a whole through the shell using a needle. Start filling it with a starter mix soil and plant the tomato seeds for germination. It usually takes 5 - 10 days to germinate. Immediately sprinkle with water just enough to keep the soil moist and not wet.
Place the eggshell where it can acquire warm sunny temperatures near your window sill or any part of the house that can access sunlight. However if this is not possible you may use a 40 watt bulb to keep your tomato seeds warm. When your indoor cherry tomatoes have grow about 3 inches tall you may transfer it to a bigger pot.
Using a potting soil this time, fill in the pot and place your eggshell deeply cracking the shell before planting to allow roots to expand and grow. Lightly press the soil to ensure contact between soil and tomato plant. Water it again consistently keeping soil moist and continue exposing tomato plants this winter to sunlight or to a 40-watt fluorescent bulb. Constantly check on your tomato plants as they must maintain moist soil and warmth until you see the tomato plants starting to bear those succulent fruit crops.
Another question is what are the common indoor tomato varieties that gardeners can use?
You may opt to plant tomato that works well indoors like cherry, patio, toy boy and small fry or tiny Tim.
Do we still need to stake these small variety tomatoes?
Yes indeed, indoor cherry tomatoes and other determinate tomatoes need staking to ensure a straight growth of the tomato plant.
When is the right time to sow seed indoors?
I suggest that you sow your indoor cherry tomatoes 10 weeks after the last frost day or early May to ensure that you can transplant your tomato plant outside if you wish to grow them in a container or to an outdoor garden. Take caution that tomato plants can't germinate when the soil temperature is lower than 50 degree Fahrenheit.
What is blossom end rot and how to avoid it?
Blossom end rot is the cause of bent stems meaning tomatoes grown during winter did not get sufficient supply of sunlight. To avoid blossom end rot ensure sufficient heat supply and staking to keep your plant growing in a straight direction.
If you can heartily learn and instill these techniques in your mind then growing winter tomatoes will be incredibly carefree and pleasurable to you. Good luck and happy harvesting.
