Growing tomatoes
Growing tomatoes is very profitable. And,
growing them indoors in pots is an excellent way to enjoy fresh and juicy tomatoes.
But before growing tomatoes indoors in pots, you have to have an idea about the
best time and the suitable soil for growing them. Today, in this article,
I will share with you everything you need to know about growing tomatoes
indoors in pots from choosing the right variety to harvesting and storing
them. First, let's know about the best time and suitable soil for growing
tomatoes indoors in pots.
When to plant tomatoes
Tomatoes can be planted throughout the
year. The best time to plant tomatoes in summer is April through June when soil
temperatures are at least 60°F (15°C) and daytime temperatures are between
70-85°F (21-29°C). Again, the best time to plant tomatoes in winter is
October through December when temperatures are between 65-85°F (18-29°C). In
winter regions, the best time to plant tomatoes is January or February when
temperatures are above 60°F (15°C).
Which soil is suitable for planting tomatoes?
Tomatoes grow well in a well-drained and
fertile loamy soil. Basically, the soil that is slightly acidic and has a pH
range of 6.0 to 6.8 produces a bumper tomato crop. Therefore, before planting
tomatoes, compost or leaf rot or cow dung manure should be added to the soil to
increase soil fertility.
Growing tomatoes indoors
To grow tomatoes indoors in pots, you have
to follow some steps. Now let's know those steps.
1. Selecting the Right Tomato Variety
All tomatoes don't grow equally well in
pots, So, in this case, you have to choose the right variety of tomatoes. There
are two main types of tomatoes: They are Determinate and Indeterminate.
Indeterminate tomatoes: This variety grows and produces fruit throughout the season. It can grow 6-8
feet. It is a very good variety for growing tomatoes in the ground.
Best Tomato Varieties for pots
Patio Princess: This is a compact
determinate variety. It is perfect for small pots.
Tiny Tim: It is Ideal for
growing on windowsills or balconies.
Celebrity: It is a
determinate type that produces medium-sized and flavorful tomatoes.
Roma: It is a
determinate type that is excellent for sauces and canning.
Sweet 100: It is an
indeterminate cherry tomato that produces sweet and bite-sized fruit.
Select a tomato variety from the above-mentioned. In my opinion, the determinate
variety is best for growing tomatoes in pots.
2. Selecting and Preparing the Pots
Tomato roots need a lot of space to grow.
So, you have to select a suitable container for growing tomatoes in pots. And,
that's why you select a pot that is at least 18 inches deep and wide. For
indeterminate varieties, select a 5-gallon pot. Then drill two holes in the
bottom of the pot and place two small brick pieces on the holes. Then press by
hand with 1 inch of pebbles and 1 inch of white sand. After doing this, the
drainage system of your pot is complete.
3. Soil Preparation
Tomatoes need nutrient-rich and
well-draining soil to grow in pots. The right soil mix ensures the roots of
plants get the air, moisture and nutrients they need.
Making the Best Soil Mix:
Use Potting Soil: Never use garden
soil for pot plants because it may be too compacted and lack nutrients.
Add Compost: Mix compost or
leaf rot manure or cow dung to provide the soil with the necessary nutrients.
Perlite/Vermiculite: Add perlite or
vermiculite to improve drainage and aeration.
Generally, a suitable soil mix for growing tomatoes in pots is 60% garden soil, 20% compost and 20% perlite or vermiculite.
Read More:
How to grow tomatoes in pots
You have to follow some steps to grow
tomatoes in pots. The steps are as below:
a) Fill the Pots: Fill your pots
with the prepared soil mix, keeping a 2–3-inch gap at the top.
b) How to Plant Tomatoes: Tomatoes grow
roots along their stems. So, bury at least two-thirds of the plant's stem in
the soil.
c) Water Well: After planting,
water deeply to help the plant settle in.
For extra stability, while planting, place
a tomato cage or stake in each pot to help future growth.
5. Caring for Your Tomato Plants
Tomatoes in pots need more attention than
those of the ground. The main aspects of daily care of tomato plants are as
below:
Regular Watering:
Tomato plants need consistent moisture.
So, water tomato plants regularly.
Mulch: Add a layer of
mulch (such as straw or shredded leaves) on top of the soil to retain moisture
and regulate temperature.
Fertilizing:
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Use a balanced
fertilizer every 2-4 weeks or a liquid organic fertilizer once a week. Remember
that a fertilizer high in phosphorus improves fruiting.
6. Disease and Pest Prevention
Tomatoes are prone to diseases like blight
as well as pests like aphids and caterpillars. So, know how to keep your
plants healthy:
Common Diseases:
Blight: Avoid overhead
watering and ensure good air circulation around the plant.
Leaf Spot: Remove any
yellowing leaves and dispose of them properly to prevent the spread.
Common Pests:
Aphids: Spray the plants
with water to dislodge them or use insecticidal soap.
Tomato Hornworms: Hand-pick these large
caterpillars off the plant.
Basically, using neem oil or insecticidal
soap for some weeks can help prevent pests.
7. Harvesting Tomatoes
When the skin of tomatoes is bright and
fully colored (red, yellow or orange depending on the variety), you can harvest
them. Most tomato varieties are ready to harvest about 60-85 days after
planting. While harvesting tomatoes, use pruning shears or scissors to avoid
damaging the plant. Twist the fruit off the vine if it detaches easily.
8. Storing Tomatoes
Once harvested, store tomatoes at room
temperature away from direct sunlight. Never refrigerate tomatoes because it
can make them flavorless.
Long-Term Storage:
Freezing: Tomatoes can be
frozen whole or you can make sauces and freeze them.
Canning: Tomatoes are
excellent for canning if you want to preserve tomatoes for future use,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I grow tomatoes indoors all year round?
Yes, if you have a sunny place indoors
that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day, you can grow tomatoes indoors all year round.
How to grow tomatoes from seeds
For planting tomatoes from seeds, first,
- Collect hybrid tomato seeds and dry them in sunlight for 4/5 hours.
- Then soak the seeds in water in the afternoon when they are cool.
- Prepare the soil for seed germination by mixing 25% vermicompost, 25% cocopeat, 25% white sand and 25% cow dung that afternoon.
- Fill a 12-inch pot with that soil.
- The next day, in the afternoon, scatter the seeds on the soil of the pot.
- Cover the seeds with light soil.
- Then lightly spray water on the top soil of the pot.
- Cover the mouth of the pot with polythene.
- Keep the pot in a shady place.
- All the seeds will germinate within 5-10 days.
After seed germination, keep the pot in
sunlight little by little for 2/3 days. Then keep the pot in direct sunlight
for the whole day.
How to plant tomatoes in the ground
Follow the instructions below to grow
tomatoes in the ground.
- Choose a sunny place with well-drained soil.
- Prepare the soil by adding compost or organic manure.
- Make holes about 2 feet apart.
- Plant till the first set of leaves for strong roots.
- Water well after planting.
- Add mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- Stake or cage plants for help.
- Water regularly
- Fertilize as needed.
How long does it take for tomatoes to grow?
Depending on the variety, it can take
60-85 days to grow tomatoes from planting to harvest.
How often should I water my tomatoes?
Tomatoes need consistent moisture. So,
water them when the top soil of the pots is dry. But here you have to ensure
the pots have good drainage to avoid waterlogging.
Can I reuse soil from tomato plants?
It is better to use fresh soil each season
to avoid diseases. If want to reuse soil from tomato plants, you will refresh it by
adding compost and organic fertilizer.
Finally, growing tomatoes indoors in pots
is a very simple way to enjoy homegrown produce. With the right variety, proper
care and a little attention, you can harvest delicious and juicy tomatoes all
the seasons. So, get started today growing tomatoes indoors in pots and soon
you will be enjoying the fruits of your labor. Thank you so much for
reading the full article.
Related Posts:
