How To Grow Juicy Tomatoes In a Greenhouse?

Why Tomatoes?

It’s rewarding to see tomatoes grow from seeds, see seedlings grow from two leaves, and eventually harvest succulent tomatoes. The benefits extend beyond the unbeatable flavour of homegrown and vine-ripened tomatoes.

1. Tomatoes are annual plants and grow best in ambient temperatures between 18 and 32°C and soil temperatures of at least 12°C.
   
   
2. Tomatoes are either vining or sprawling plants – the vining/indeterminate varieties require staking or caging.
   
   
3. Early season tomatoes take 50 to 60 days to reach harvesting whereas other varieties take up to 80 days to reach maturity. 

Popular greenhouse tomato varieties include Cappricia, Gardener's Delight, Sungold, Sweet Million and Bull’s Heart varieties.

 

Benefits of Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse

The Garten Dream-greenhouses are designed to make it easy to sow and grow tomatoes. You get the opportunity to cultivate tomatoes throughout the year beyond the short growing season in your area. Greenhouses will extend your harvesting window and get you a second (sometimes third) crop.

Greenhouses provide optimal conditions required right from the germination of tomato seeds to the completion of harvesting deliciously juicy homegrown tomatoes. 

• Plant tomatoes anytime you feel is appropriate for you. The timing is dependent on the individual farmer and their objectives. 
• Growing tomatoes in your Planta-greenhouse always guarantees better yields throughout the year. Greenhouse-grown tomatoes produce 10 to 20 times more fruit compared to field tomatoes.
• You are not limited to a single growing season during warmer weather. Grow your tomatoes throughout the year even in the cold winter months. You will no longer be a victim to whimsies of the weather/seasons.
• Vertical production in the greenhouse makes it easier to prune, harvest, and work in the greenhouse. Inspect the roots of your tomato plants easily and allow easy watering and addition of nutrients.
• Greenhouses protect your tomato plants from pests including birds and insects, inclement weather, and even malicious damage.
• Nothing beats a vine-ripened tomato in quality and taste, and you can enjoy your tomatoes all year round.
• Greenhouse tomatoes are comparatively more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. 
• Growing your tomatoes in a greenhouse is easy for both seasoned farmers and newbies. 

Best indoor conditions to grow tomatoes.

High heat retention

Tomatoes will not grow well in temperatures below 16°C and above 27°C. Our galvanized steel and polycarbonate greenhouses efficiently maintain the temperatures within this set range. 

Planta’s polycarbonate covers have high heat retention and keep the greenhouse pretty warm, however, in order not to ‘cook’ the plants there’s the option of adding ventilation windows which helps to provide additional air circulation and temperature control inside the greenhouse. Our windows come in automatic or manual options, depending on your needs. 

During the winter, using heaters and timers can help maintain proper indoor temperatures in the greenhouse to support your growing tomatoes.  

Automatic ventilation windows

Automatic ventilation windows don’t require any electricity or batteries and open/close depending on the temperature you set. You can set the window to open when the inside temperature reaches 17-25°C and close when the inside temperature is less than 17-25°C (you have control over the temperature). The maximum opening of the window reaches when the internal temp is 30°C and above. 

Ventilate the greenhouse to facilitate effective growing conditions for the tomatoes. Adequate ventilation is required to maintain required humidity levels as well as prevent diseases from affecting your tomato plants.

 

Tips for Growing Thriving Tomatoes in a Greenhouse

• Prepare individual pots by having the right potting mix. The pots must have drain holes at the bottom to avoid waterlogging.
  
  
• Sow the tomato seeds half an inch deep and one inch apart in your pots. Tomato seeds require an optimum soil temperature of 30°C for germination. The warmth can be provided by placing the pots or flat near a bright window or under a fluorescent light. Germination starts from the 5th to the 7th day if the conditions are kept right.
  
  
• The young seedlings continue to grow at temperatures of 15-21°C. Introduce a gentle breeze using a fan to help the seedling develop strong stems.
  
  
• The seedlings are ready for transplanting two weeks after germination. Ensure that you don’t disturb the roots to facilitate continued growth after transplantation.
  
  
• Prepare the greenhouse for the growing season by ensuring all requirements are in place. Check that the galvanized steel frame and polycarbonate walls, as well as the seals, are intact.
  
  
• Decide how you want to grow the plants. Tomatoes can grow in pots, troughs, or greenhouse borders. The containers should be deep enough and provide adequate soil for your tomato plants.
• • Ensure you have the right mix of nutrients in your growing medium to facilitate optimal growth. Add compost and tomato fertilizer to provide the required nutrients to your plants. Apply fertilizer at least 4 inches from the stems to prevent burning. Tomatoes require well-drained soils rich in organic matter and pH 5.5-6.8 for good yields. 
    
    
  • Transplant the seedling by putting them deeper into the soil and burying the stem. New roots will develop on the stem and make your plants sturdy.
    
    
  • The spacing of tomato seedlings should be between 90 and 120cm for the vining varieties. Use B-1 solution to help your seedling withstand the shock of transplantation.
    
    
  • Water the new transplanted seedling regularly and throughout the growth process until harvesting. Tomatoes need plenty of water for good growth. The soil should be moist but not water-logged to prevent rotting rooting and other diseases. When watering, ensure that water does get onto the leaves.
    
    
  • Tomatoes require about 8 hours of sunlight per day. An advantage of polycarbonate is that it allows adequate sunlight for your plants. Tomato plants usually curl their leaves on a hot day. It isn’t a sign of disease or distress. However, wilting leaves early in the morning indicate that the plants need deep watering.
    
    
  • For support, use stakes, cages, or trellis as your tomato plants continue to grow. These supports help to keep leaves and tomatoes off the ground. Leaving the plants to sprawl on the ground increases the risk of pests and disease.
    
    
  • Staking tomatoes reduces the amount of growing space. That means that you can have more plants in your Planta-greenhouse irrespective of its size. Your stakes should be 1.8m in height.
    
    
  • Prune your tomato plants to retain two main and healthy stems. Get rid of side stems sprouting on your tomato plants after they have at least two leaves. The main stems are referred to as leaders and are trained on the stakes using elastic horticultural tape.
  • Pruning ensures that your plants are stronger and bear bigger fruits by getting rid of suckers growing on the main stems. The tomato plant focuses its vigour on fruit production through regular pruning.  
  • For semi-determinate tomato varieties, cut off the tips of the main stems when the plant reaches the top of the support stakes. Cut the tip two leaves above the top-most flower truss.
  • Remove leaves and branches from the bottom 30cm of your plants as they grow taller. You will be preventing the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests.
    
    
  • For good quality fruits, limit the plants to six fruit trusses. Harvesting can begin when the tomato fruits are full and glossy and start turning colour. It is recommended that tomatoes are allowed to ripen on the vine.

  In conclusion, growing tomatoes is quite straightforward however that doesn’t mean you can throw seeds in the soil and wait for juicy tomatoes. Get the hang of it since tomato plants need attention, particularly during the cold season. Staggered planting will ensure that you enjoy greenhouse tomatoes throughout the year.