How to Grow Tomatoes in a Greenhouse

Tomatoes are full of nutrients and antioxidants. It is known for its cancer fighting properties and its versatility as it can be used for salads, sandwiches, sauces and even making. With a bit small knowledge, it’s not hard to grow sweet tasting tomatoes within your greenhouse environment, even during the winter months or in unsuitable cold climates. Tomatoes can be picky plants, but with a little bit of practice, anyone should be able to produce their own supply of these mouth-watering delights year-round.

Can I Grow Tomato X in a Greenhouse?

Though it’s not difficult growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, it is important to choose the right kind of tomatoes. It is important to get off to the right start with your greenhouse tomatoes. Some varieties of tomatoes will thrive in greenhouses as they have been developed specially for greenhouses and there are others that are more suitable for outdoor growing. Selecting the right variety will help you avoid common problems. Green house tomato plants are prone to Blossom End-Rot, a condition that is caused by a calcium deficiency. To compensate for this add bone meal to compensate for the lack of calcium.

How To Grow Tomatoes in a Greenhouse?

The first thing to ensure is that the greenhouse environment is disease and pest free. If there are any problems, treat them before starting your cultivation. Lavender and Basil plants deter pests such as white fly and other bugs and should be planted with the tomato plants.

Starting tomatoes from seed is not as complicated as it may seem. Sow the seed thinly in the seed tray with a thin layer of compost. Start the seeds in warm conditions, such as under grow lights or on heat mats. Alternatively, you can purchase tomato plants from the garden centre to start your tomato cultivation.

When the leaves appear, the plants are ready to be transplanted into bigger containers. Make sure the containers are sterilized and large enough for the plants to grow.

Tomato plants need at least 16-18 hours of light a day. This is usually not possible in winter therefore artificial lighting will likely to be necessary to keep the tomatoes growing during the winter months. LED growing lamps are becoming a really popular method of increasing the lighting for the plants.

Tomatoes need adequate heat to thrive, grow and produce fruit. This is one advantage of growing them in a greenhouse as you can easily add more heating in the cooler months. If the proper temperature is not maintained (between 60 F and 90 F) the tomatoes will fail to grow and produce.

Tomatoes need regular watering to keep the soil moist but remember that too much water causes as much damage as too little water- irregular watering can cause the fruit to split or to develop blossom end rot. Remember to fertilize about once a week to enhance the growth of the plants and to counter any nutrient deficiencies.

Tomato plants need help with support as they grow. They need either stakes, bamboo canes or a trellis to help raise the plant. The larger varieties in particular need the extra support from the weight of the fruit.

Tomato plants need very little care. Just remove the yellowing leaves as you see them and look out for any pests and bugs and treat them.

You will also need to help the flowers pollinate as there will be no bees in the greenhouse to facilitate the natural pollination process. Simply tap the stems to encourage the pollination.

Is your fruit brightly coloured now? The time has now come to reap your rewards for growing greenhouse tomatoes.

Though a lot more care needs to go into caring for greenhouse tomatoes it is really worth the effort as you will receive fresh, organic tomatoes all year around.