Growing tomatoes in the winter on the windowsill is becoming more and more popular. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh fruit all year round, as well as an opportunity to test your gardening skills at home. Which varieties of tomatoes are best suited for winter cultivation and how to care for them? We will explain what to do to get a winter supply of unsprayed fruit straight from the bush.
Growing tomatoes in winter on the windowsill
Growing tomatoes in winter requires a bit of preparationbut it can be very useful. The best place to grow them is a windowsill on the south side. There, the plants will have access to the maximum amount of daylight. In winter, when natural light is limited, it is worth getting LED lights to illuminate the plants. Tomatoes grown on a windowsill in winter should be rotatedso that they do not obstruct each other’s access to light.
Tomatoes should preferably be planted in pots with a volume of at least 5 litersso that they have enough space for the roots to grow. A maximum of two bushes can grow in one pot. The soil should be fertile and well drainedwith the addition of compost or organic fertilizer. Do not forget about regular wateringbut you don’t need to pour it, so that the roots don’t rot. It is better to pour less water, but more often, especially if there are radiators nearby.
Varieties of tomatoes for winter cultivation
Not all tomato varieties are suitable for home cultivation. Dwarf and cherry varieties are best because they take up less space and produce faster. Popular varieties of tomatoes for growing on the windowsill include:
- Micro Tom Red and Gold – one of the smallest tomato varieties that produces fruits with a “spout”. Ideal for small flower pots;
- Mascot – dwarf variety of cherry tomatoes, not tall and resistant to diseases;
- Bajaja – a low variety of cherry tomatoes that exceeds. Recommended for flower pots and balconies;
- Balconies Red – a variety suitable for growing in apartments, with tasty red fruits gathered in bunches;
- Yellow Pear Cherry – produces small yellow pear-shaped fruits with a sweet taste;
- Tiny Tim – cherry tomatoes with red, sweet and sour fruits.
These varieties are easy to grow and do well in limited space, making them an ideal choice for winter growing.
How to care for tomatoes grown on the windowsill?
Caring for tomatoes grown on the windowsill requires proper watering, fertilization and light. Here are some important tips:
- Watering: tomatoes like moderate humidity. They should be watered regularly, but so that the soil is slightly moist, not wet.
- Fertilization: plants need regular fertilizing with fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorusespecially during flowering and fruiting.
- Temperature: tomatoes do best at a temperature of 19-22 °C. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. Try not to let the leaves touch the cold glass.
- Rez: by removing the lower leaves and side shoots, you can direct the plant’s energy to produce fruit.
- Lighting: during winter it may be necessary to use grow lights that provide 12 to 14 hours of light per day.
- Openness: when the flowers appear, you have to help them pollinate. Without the access of wind and insects, they have no chance. To do this, simply shake each flower.
Tomatoes grown on the windowsill, despite proper care, will never be as tasty and good as tomatoes from the garden in full season. However, they are certainly a tastier and healthier alternative to the offer from the store.
How fast do tomatoes grow on the windowsill?
The growth rate of tomatoes grown on the windowsill depends on the conditions you provide them with. Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days after the seeds are sown. The first flowers appear after about 4 to 6 weeks and the fruits begin to ripen after another 6 to 8 weeks.
Under ideal conditions, you can look forward to ripe tomatoes on the windowsill already 10 to 12 weeks after planting. Therefore, you have to sow them already in September or October. However, it should be remembered that lower temperatures and lack of light can prolong this process.
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