How to Grow Successfully Tomatoes in a Greenhouse?

Photo Credit: Lyn Ong

Greenhouse tomatoes are a popular way to grow tomatoes in a controlled environment. In a greenhouse, the temperature, light, and water are regulated to create the perfect conditions for tomato plants to thrive. This method allows farmers to produce tomatoes year-round, regardless of the weather outside. The process starts with planting seeds in a nursery area, and once the seedlings are strong enough, they are moved to the greenhouse. There, they receive the right amount of nutrients through a system called fertigation, which combines fertilization with irrigation. This careful management helps prevent diseases and pests, leading to healthy plants that can produce a lot of tasty tomatoes. Greenhouses are like cozy homes for plants, giving them everything they need to grow up strong and fruitful.

How to Grow Tomatoes in a Greenhouse?

Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse is like giving your plants a VIP pass to the best growing conditions. Here's how you can do it in simple steps:

Photo Credit: seamartini

• Set the Stag: Make sure your greenhouse is warm during the day (70 to 80º F) and a bit cooler at night (60–65º F). This is the tomato plant's favorite temperature to grow.

• Pick Your Players: Choose tomato varieties that love greenhouse life. Some are superstars in fighting off diseases, and others just keep growing and making tomatoes.

• Get the Ground Ready: Use a soil mix that lets water drain well. You can even go for soil-less options like perlite or rock wool if you want.

• Watering Wisely: Set up a drip irrigation system to give your plants a steady drink of water. It's like a slow and steady rain just for them.

• Feed Them Right: Mix in some fertilizer to make sure your tomatoes get all the nutrients they need to grow big and tasty.

• Keep the Air Fresh: Ventilate regularly to bring in dry air and keep humidity below 90% to avoid leaf mold.

With these steps, you'll be on your way to growing your own juicy tomatoes right in your greenhouse. Just remember, it's all about giving the plants what they need when they need it.

Choosing the Type of Greenhouse Tomato Plant

When you're picking the type of tomato plant for your greenhouse, think of it like choosing a pet. You want one that fits well in your space and matches your care abilities. There are mainly three types of tomato plants to consider:

Photo Credit: Alexei_other

• Cordon or Indeterminate: These are the climbers. They grow tall and keep on growing until the cold stops them. They need support, like a trellis, and you'll have to pinch off some growth to keep them in check.

• Determinate: These are more like bushes. They grow to a certain point, make their fruit, and then call it a day. They're more compact, so they don't need as much support.

• Semi-Determinate: These guys are in between. They grow a bit taller than bushes but won't go as crazy as the climbers.

Each type has its own pros and cons, and within these types, there are varieties that have different flavors, sizes, and growth times. So, think about what you want from your tomatoes (like taste or how long they last after picking), how much room you have, and how much time you can spend caring for them. Then, pick the type that seems like it'll be the best fit for your greenhouse garden.

Best Tomato Varieties for a Greenhouse

When you're looking for the best tomato varieties to grow in your greenhouse, you want to choose ones that will love the warm, sheltered environment and reward you with lots of delicious tomatoes. Here's a detailed look at some top choices:

• Roma Tomatoes: These are the workhorses of the tomato world. They're sturdy, disease-resistant, and perfect for cooking and making sauces because they have fewer seeds and aren't too juicy. They produce a big harvest all at once, which is great if you're into canning or freezing.

• Brandywine Tomatoes: These are the heirlooms with a reputation for amazing taste. They thrive in the heat, which makes them a hit in greenhouses. They're also versatile and can be grown in pots, so they're a good pick if you're new to greenhouse gardening.

• Early Girl Tomatoes: These are the speedy ones. They mature fast, so you get to enjoy your tomatoes sooner. They're also not very picky about the weather, which is a plus for greenhouse conditions.

Other varieties that are known to do well in greenhouses include:

• Sungold: These are tiny golden orbs of sweetness, perfect for snacking straight off the vine.

• Gardener’s Delight: A classic choice that's known for its sweet flavor.

• Sweet Million: Another small, sweet variety that's good for fresh eating.

• Cherry Tomatoes: These little guys are sweet and perfect for adding a pop of color to salads or just munching on their own.

• Plum Tomatoes: They're meaty with fewer seeds, making them excellent for fresh salads or processing into sauces and pastes.

• Beefsteak Tomatoes: Among the largest, these tomatoes are hefty and satisfying, great for a sandwich or a burger.

When choosing, consider what you want from your tomatoes—flavor, size, or ease of growing. Also, think about your greenhouse space and how much time you can dedicate to caring for your plants. With the right variety, your greenhouse can become a tomato paradise!

How do I care for tomato plants in a greenhouse?

Taking care of tomato plants in a greenhouse is a bit like babysitting. You've got to give them just the right amount of everything they need to grow up healthy and strong. Here's a detailed guide to help you out:

Photo Credit: simonkr

• Temperature: Keep your greenhouse warm but not too hot. During the day, aim for 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and at night, keep it cooler at 60 to 65 degrees. This is like the perfect weather for tomatoes to grow.

• Air Circulation: Good air flow is super important. Use exhaust fans or just space out your plants so they're not too crowded. This helps keep the humidity just right and stops diseases from spreading. 

• Watering: Tomatoes need a steady drink, but not too much. A drip irrigation system is like a slow, steady rain that gives water right at the roots where it's neede.

• Pollination: Since there are no bees or wind inside a greenhouse, you might need to give your plants a little shake to spread the pollen around. Some people use electric toothbrushes or special shakers for this.

• Feeding: Tomatoes are hungry plants. They need a good mix of nutrients, which you can give them through fertilizers. This is like their food, and you've got to make sure they get a balanced diet.

• Plant Training: As your tomato plants grow, you'll need to guide them. Remove any side shoots that pop up so the plant puts all its energy into growing fruits. This is like teaching the plant which way to grow.

• Pest and Disease Control: Keep an eye out for any bugs or spots on your plants. If you see something, deal with it quickly to keep your plants healthy.

By following these steps, you'll be setting up your tomato plants for success in your greenhouse. It's all about creating the perfect environment for them to flourish and produce lots of tasty tomatoes. 

How to build Your Greenhouse for Tomatoes?

Building a greenhouse for your tomatoes is like crafting a special stage for your plants to shine. Here's a detailed guide in simple language to help you set up the perfect greenhouse:

• Choose the Right Location: Start by picking a sunny spot for your greenhouse. Tomatoes love sunlight, so the more, the better.

• Select the Greenhouse Type: Decide if you want a traditional glass greenhouse or a modern polycarbonate one. Glass is great for letting in lots of light, while polycarbonate is tough and keeps the heat in.

• Size It Up: Think about how many tomato plants you want to grow and choose a size that fits. Not too big, not too small, just right for your garden.

• Check the Temperature: Make sure you can keep your greenhouse at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night. This is the cozy range where tomatoes thrive.

• Pick Your Plants: Go for tomato varieties that are known to do well in greenhouses. They're usually labeled as "greenhouse varieties" and are good at handling the indoor climate.

• Get the Soil Ready: You can use a well-draining soil mix or go soil-less with options like perlite or rock wool. The key is to make sure water can drain out so the roots don't get too wet.

• Set Up Watering: A drip irrigation system is a smart move. It gives water directly to the roots and keeps the leaves dry, which helps prevent diseas.

• Plan for Pollination: Since there won't be bees or wind inside, you'll need to help pollinate the flowers. You can gently shake the plants or use a small brush to move pollen from flower to flower.

• Ventilation is Key: Keep the air moving with vents or fans. This helps control humidity and temperature, making sure your tomatoes are comfortable.

• Regular Check-Ups: Keep an eye on your plants for any signs of pests or diseases. Catching problems early is the best way to keep your plants healthy.

By following these steps, you'll create a nurturing environment for your tomatoes, giving them the warmth, light, and care they need to grow delicious fruits in your very own greenhouse.

How i can prune my greenhouse Tomatoes?

Photo Credit: simonkr

Pruning your greenhouse tomatoes is like giving them a nice haircut to help them grow better and produce more fruit. Here's a detailed guide:

• Know Your Tomato Type: First, figure out if your tomatoes are indeterminate (keep growing and producing fruit all season) or determinate (grow to a certain size and then stop). Indeterminate types need more pruning.

• Spot the Suckers: These are little shoots that pop up in the joint between the stem and a branch. If you let them grow, they'll turn into big branches, but they'll also take energy away from the fruit. You want to pinch these off when they're small.

• Leave the Leaves... For a Bit: Leaves are like solar panels for plants; they help make the food the plant needs. But if there are too many, they can block light and air from getting to the fruit. So, as the plant grows, you can remove some of the lower leaves, especially if they're touching the ground or look sick.

• Support the Stems: As you prune, make sure the remaining stems have support, like a stake or a string tied to the top of the greenhouse. This keeps the plant upright and the fruit off the ground.

• Regular Check-Ups: Keep an eye on your plants. Prune a little bit each week rather than a lot all at once. This helps the plant heal faster and keeps it from getting stressed.

• Top It Off: When your plant has reached the top of the greenhouse or has enough fruit, you can cut off the top. This tells the plant to stop growing up and to put more energy into ripening the fruit.

By following these steps, you'll help your tomato plants focus their energy on making delicious tomatoes instead of growing lots of leaves and branches. And that means more yummy tomatoes for you to enjoy!

Conclusion

Growing tomatoes inside a greenhouse is like giving them a perfect little world where they can grow strong and fruitful. In this special environment, farmers can control the temperature, make sure there's enough light, and give the right amount of water and food to the plants. This way, they can keep growing tomatoes throughout the year, no matter the season outside. The greenhouse acts like a cozy house for the tomato plants, giving them all they need to be healthy and make tasty tomatoes.

References & Resources

(1) How to Grow Tomatoes in a Greenhouse (with Pictures) - wikiHow https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Tomatoes-in-a-Greenhouse

(2) Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes - Learn How To Grow Tomatoes In A Greenhouse https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/growing-tomatoes-in-greenhouse.htm

(3) Best Greenhouse Tomatoes Varieties - Home Garden Vegetables https://homegardenveg.com/best-greenhouse-tomatoes-varieties/

(4) 10 BEST Tomatoes to Grow in a Greenhouse (2023 Guide) https://thegardeningdad.com/best-tomatoes-to-grow-in-a-greenhouse/

(5) Best Tomatoes for Greenhouse Growing - Allotment & Gardens https://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/how-to-grow-your-own-tomatoes/best-tomatoes-greenhouse-growing/

(6) Building your own tomato house: read how to do it here https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/all-about-diy/building-your-own-tomato-house-read-how-to-do-it-here

(7) Guide to Pruning Cherry Tomato Plants | Hunker https://www.hunker.com/13427323/guide-to-pruning-cherry-tomato-plants

(8) The Effect of Light Intensity on Plant Growth | Hunker https://www.hunker.com/12340735/the-effect-of-light-intensity-on-plant-growth