Growing Tomatoes Indoors / In The Home

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 NEWSLETTER

Did you know that it's possible to grow perfectly fine tomatoes inside your own house? You won't need a garden or a greenhouse to start your adventure and the results of your labor can be very rewarding. After all, homegrown tomatoes always taste better than their poor supermarket imitators.

If you want fresh, home-grown tomatoes and don't have an outdoor space in which you can place containers, it is worth trying some indoor container gardening. Of course you cannot have a full garden in the house, but a bright, sunny window can be the site for growing fresh food all year. Small-fruited tomatoes can be included in the indoor edible garden.

Plants will dry out less quickly indoors and will also grow more slowly, needing less fertilizer. To make watering easy it is wise to set the pots in large trays with an inch or two of decorative stones in them. Not only will this prevent your having to move the plants in order to water them, which may discourage you from watering when you should, but it will also provide humidity, which is a major requirement, especially during winter when the house is warm and dry.

If you have a sunroom that provides full overhead sunlight this is perfect. As mentioned before, at minumum, a sunny window, preferably south-facing, is almost a must for indoor vegetable growing. Tomato plants will also need supplemental light, such as a combination warm-white/cool-white fluorescent fixture, especially during winter months. Insufficient light will result in tall, spindly plants and failure to flower and set fruit.

Where To Start?

Variety: For starters, you'll want to choose a variety of tomato that is not susceptible to cracking. The smaller fruit varieties are recommended. Not only will they be better suited for tomato paste and sauce, but they will also grow better indoors under lights.

Soil: Next you will want to prepare a good starting soil mixture. If you can find a potting soil or mix that is enriched with 10% worm castings this is great. If not, purchase a professional potting "mix" - not the cheap grade, dollar-a-bag potting "soil"

Add Calcium: It's not a bad idea to add a teaspon of hydrated lime to each gallon of potting soil to balance pH. Hydrated lime is rich in calcium and is absolutely great for the tomatoes. This calcium prevents the blossoms from rotting later on down the line. You don't want to start the soil too wet. Adding water a little at a time until you can get just about 2 or 3 drops of water out of it when you squeeze. Anything more than that and you will want to dry the soil out some before you start to use it.

When To Plant

You'll want to start your tomato plants in trays or small pots at the same time and as you would if you were going to be transplant them outdoors, though can also grwo them during Winter with ample heat, light and humidity.

SEE: Starting Tomato Seeds Indoors

Care For Your Indoor Tomato Plants

Watering: Water enougn to keep soil damp but not wet. Allow soil to dry just a little between watering to avoid overwatering.

Fertilization: Fertilize your indoor tomato plants with a water-soluble fertilizer as directed on the product label. Beware, the use of manure-based organic fertilizers could cause quite a smell around the house.

Insect Control: You may not find an organic fertilizer that won't smell up the house, but at least you can control insects organically. Of course you can always pick insects off by hand, but here's a good recipe for a natural insect deterrent:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

Take good care of your indoor tomatoes and they will bear some fantastic fruit no matter what time of the year it is - Good luck!

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