During the winter months, we often miss fresh vegetables directly from our own garden or balcony. Cucumbers, although healthy and tasty, are not always what we crave. In this case, it is worth betting on growing fruit on the windowsill. Some of them, including tomatoes, can be grown even in winter with proper care. How to do it so that you can enjoy the red delicacies? We recommend what to think about.

Growing tomatoes in winter may seem like an unusual idea, but if you have the space to start a pot, it’s worth a try – it will give you access to fresh fruit. It’s also a great option to brush up on your gardening skills.

Which tomatoes can be grown in winter?

Not all tomatoes can be grown at home. Cherry tomatoes and self-pollinating varieties will grow in a pot on the windowsill. These fruits are small and resistant to various diseases, so they have a chance to grow and give birth even in domestic conditions.

Growing tomatoes in winter – where to start?

Once you have chosen the place and type of tomatoes, you need to start growing them. How to start? Remember these steps:

  • Sowing seeds – place the selected seeds in small containers filled with soil. A mixture of garden soil with compost and sand will do well. Planted seeds should be lightly covered with soil and regularly sprinkled with water.
  • Replanting – when the tomatoes sprout, transplant them into larger pots.
  • Light – flower pots should have access to light. They should be oriented to the south. LED lights are also useful – especially if the days are cloudy. In the case of several flower pots, one slightly larger lamp is often enough.
  • Growing crops – tomatoes should stand in a room where windows will not be opened and should not be exposed to drafts. The fruits feel good at a temperature of 19 to 22 degrees °C. Regular fertilizing of seedlings is also a good choice.

When the flowers appear, you can gently shake the plant or use a brush to transfer the pollen to increase the yield. Do not forget to rotate the plant regularly to ensure even lighting.

How to choose an LED lamp for growing tomatoes in winter?

Light is an essential part of plant development. In winter, you have to provide its artificial sources – especially on cloudy days. They will serve well for this purpose LED lamps designed for growing plants. Depending on the number of seedlings you have to choose such a number of lamps that the tomatoes have equal access to light. Place the lamps at a distance of 20 to 40 cm from the leaves. In the case of very tall seedlings, you can rely on inter-row lighting. Tomatoes need 12 to 16 hours of light to grow well. After taking into account the number of hours of sunshine in a given day, artificial lighting should be turned on. In winter, the day lasts an average of 8 to 9 hours, but it is often cloudy and the light does not reach the plant.

Do not throw away moldy tomatoes. They hide the most valuable things in themselves. It’s a boon for your wallet