Tomatoes are the most favorite vegetables for gardeners. They are economical, easy to grow and most of all they are rich in vitamins including vitamins A, C, K, and B6 together with potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Unfortunately, you can’t grow them during the winter unless you know how to grow windowsill tomatoes indoors.
Windowsill tomatoes indoors allow you to grow this delicious healthy vegetable in both summer and winter and even if you don’t have the required space in your garden. Besides, they are less expensive than growing tomatoes in raised beds.
Growing windowsill tomatoes indoors will ensure that you obtain the best and the tastiest tomatoes. However, It requires certain skills and experiences. It is not a complicated process for experienced gardeners, but, if you are a beginner, you may face a lot of issues regarding your crop.
Below, you will find the most effective guide and tips on how to grow windowsill tomatoes. Follow these tips and you will be able to grow and enjoy fresh tomatoes all over the year.
1. choose an indoor tomato variety
There are certain tomato varieties that are known for growing well indoor. Pink Ping Pong, Siberia, Silvery Fir Tree, and Tommy Toe are the best varieties to grow indoors on a windowsill. It is advisable that you choose a small variety to grow on your windowsill because larger varieties will occupy a lot of space in the room.
It is also important that you choose a variety that matures quickly. For further information about windowsill tomato varieties, you may want to visit this link.
2. Prepare your container
Tomatoes containers should always be big. In fact, the bigger they are the better the better they hold your plants. 5 to 10 gallons containers are ideal for growing windowsill tomatoes. But, 10 gallons containers are a better choice for better results. They perfectly hold water and nutrients and they allow the air to access the roots.
Fill the container with high-quality potting soil. It is also possible that you created your own mixed potting soil. You will need 2/3 of good-quality garden soil, 2/3 of aged compost, 1/3 of perlite or vermiculite and 1/3 of peat moss.
Although creating your own mixed potting soil is economical, during the process, you may transfer some pests and diseases from your garden into your container. Therefore, it is highly recommended that buy commercial potting soil. Don’t forget to poke some holes in each container for drainage, it is vital for your plants.
If you are a busy person, you may want to consider using a self-watering container, here is a wonderful selection of the best self-watering tomato containers.
3. Seeding
For growing windowsill tomatoes indoors, it is preferable that you start from seeds. Here at Amazon.com, you could find one of the best tomato seeds.
Planting a tomato seed in a windowsill container is similar to planting them in your garden. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep in the soil and cover them lightly with soil. Consistent moisture would contribute to a quick germination of your plants as well as would help them grow.
4. Place your container in sunlight or grow light
This is critical for growing windowsill tomato indoors. In order for windowsill tomatoes to grow indoors, they need constant sunlight. Consequently, you should place your container in a sunny, bright location that allows the plants to receive at least 12 hours of sunlight.
If your house is not exposed to enough light, or if you want to grow tomatoes in winter when sunlight is common, you should use grow lights. Grow lights allow you to grow tomatoes all over the year even when the conditions are not favorable. LED grow lights are perfect for all types of plants, they are a bit expensive though.
Temperature is also a crucial factor to grow windowsill tomatoes indoors. Your plants should be placed in a site where temperature ranges between 60 and 75F at nighttime and 75 to 85F at daytime. A few higher or lower degrees of temperature are not to worry about, they will not hinder the growth of your tomatoes.
5. Add support
For preventing your tomatoes from falling on the ground, provide them with support. Tomatoes growing on a windowsill need support to continue growing up straight. Insert a tomato cage or even a wooden stake in the container.
You should add support when your plant starts producing tomatoes because the weight of the tomatoes will damage the plant. In fact, if the tomatoes are big and heavy, they could break the stem. Thus, it is better to tie the stem to an extra support once it is long enough.
6. Caring for tomatoes
When it comes to tomatoes, watering is always challenging. If you don’t water them enough, the roots will dry and the plant dies. If you do over water them, the roots will rot and the plant dies. You could avoid both ways by being careful and using this simple trick.
Poke your finger into the soil and check it. If the soil is dry, water it directly. If the soil is damp, don’t water it but rather wait until the next day and check it again.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders, they need consistent feeding. Once every two weeks id perfect. For best results, you should use a good quality commercial fertilizer such as compost tea or liquid seaweed. This is one of the best tomato fertilizers.
You should also pinch off suckers weekly to maintain the growth of your plant’s stem. While you are doing so, pay attention to pests especially spider mites.
7. Harvesting
You should start harvesting after 10 to 12 weeks after seeding. You will know when to harvest from the color of your tomatoes. When they become dark red, it means that they are mature enough and fresh enough to harvest. Pick the mature ones and leave the rest to ripen.
Even if you are beginner gardeners and you live in an area where climate and space are unfavorable conditions, with these tips you will know how to grow windowsill tomatoes indoors successfully. Follow these tips and if you have any question or inquiries, don’t hesitate to tell us about them. We will be glad to help.
You could also read about growing tomatoes outdoors in raised beds, grow bags and in self-watering containers.
Enjoy your gardening.