Winter Tomatoes

Sick and tired on cardboard tasting winter tomatoes in your salad? Maybe you would like to grow your own really good tasting winter tomatoes but don't own a greenhouse. No problem, just grow them in containers on your windowsill. Sound crazy? It's not as crazy as you might think. All you need are some good containers, some good soil, some starter mix, some fertilizer, some seeds and the desire to have some good tasting tomatoes this winter. Unfortunately, you can't grow big tomatoes inside like you grow outside, so pick your varieties carefully. You might try some Tiny Tim, Pixies, Small Fry, or one of the many other small available varieties. Your
containers should be 6 to 8 inches in diameter and 5 or 6 inches tall. Your fertilizer should be for indoor use.

Start your seeds in a small starter tray or peat pot, plant the seeds about ¾ deep and water, but not too much. You want the soil damp but not soaked. The plants should peak through the soil in approximately 6 to 8 days. When the plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, transplant them into their final containers and take good care of them. You will need to keep the pots on or near a window so they can get some light. You might want to keep a plastic tray under the pots to protect the windowsill from water stains.

As soon as the plants have blooms, you will need to help with the pollination. Try lightly tapping the plant stems and main stem. Remember to turn your plants every day so that they get light on all sides and don't start leaning over.

You might want to start a couple of plants every other day for awhile, that way you will have a good supply all winter. By the way don't expect big tomatoes, just be happy to have plenty of good tasting small tomatoes to put in your salads etc. As the plants quit producing, pinch off the stem at or near the soil and save the soil for the next time.