Growing Hot House Tomatoes

Imagine biting into a juicy, sun-ripened tomato in the dead of winter. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, with a little planning and some know-how, you can make that dream a reality bygrowing hot house tomatoes right in your own backyard (or even indoors!). Let's explore the wonderful world of cultivating these flavorful gems, extending your harvest, and enjoying fresh, delicious tomatoes year-round.

Understanding the Appeal of Growing Hot House Tomatoes

The allure ofgrowing hot house tomatoes is multi-faceted. First and foremost, it's about extending the growing season. In many climates, the outdoor tomato season is limited to a few precious months. Greenhouses and similar structures provide a controlled environment, allowing you to start your tomato plants earlier and keep them producing later into the year, sometimes even through the entire winter! This also allows you to control the environment of your plants allowing for better yields in most climates.

Beyond season extension, growing in a controlled environment offers other significant advantages:

1. Protection from Pests and Diseases: Greenhouses act as physical barriers against many common tomato pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms. They also help reduce the incidence of fungal diseases by providing better ventilation and humidity control.
1. Optimized Growing Conditions: You have precise control over temperature, humidity, light, and watering, creating the ideal environment for vigorous tomato growth and maximum fruit production.
1. Increased Yields: With consistent, optimal conditions, hot house tomatoes often produce higher yields compared to those grown outdoors.
1. Higher Quality Fruit: Controlled environments can result in more uniform, blemish-free tomatoes with exceptional flavor and texture.

Choosing the Right Structure for Your Hot House Tomatoes

The term "hot house" can encompass a variety of structures, from simple hoop houses to sophisticated greenhouses with automated climate control systems. The best option for you will depend on your budget, available space, and desired level of control.

Types of Hot House Structures

1. Hoop Houses: These are the most affordable and easiest to construct. They consist of a series of hoops covered with plastic sheeting, providing a basic level of protection from the elements. Hoop houses are ideal for extending the growing season by a few weeks or months.
1. Greenhouses: Greenhouses offer a more robust and permanent solution. They are typically constructed of glass or polycarbonate panels and can be equipped with heating, ventilation, and irrigation systems for precise climate control.
1. High Tunnels: Similar to hoop houses but generally larger and taller, high tunnels offer more space for taller tomato varieties and are often used in commercial farming operations.
1. Indoor Grow Rooms: If outdoor space is limited, you can grow hot house tomatoes indoors using grow lights and a controlled environment. This option is suitable for smaller-scale production.

Key Considerations When Selecting a Structure

1. Size: Determine how many tomato plants you want to grow and choose a structure that provides adequate space for their mature size. Tomato plants can grow quite large, especially indeterminate varieties.
1. Materials: Consider the durability and light transmission properties of the glazing material (plastic, glass, polycarbonate).
1. Ventilation: Adequate ventilation is crucial for preventing overheating and humidity buildup, which can lead to disease problems.
1. Heating: If you plan to grow tomatoes during the winter months, you'll need a reliable heating system to maintain optimal temperatures.
1. Irrigation: Efficient irrigation is essential for providing consistent moisture to your tomato plants. Drip irrigation is a popular choice for hot house tomato growing.

Selecting the Best Tomato Varieties for Hot House Cultivation

Not all tomato varieties are equally well-suited for hot house growing. Look for varieties that are known for their disease resistance, productivity, and ability to set fruit under controlled conditions. Some popular choices include:

1. 'Early Girl': A classic early-maturing variety that produces medium-sized, flavorful tomatoes.
1. 'Celebrity': A disease-resistant hybrid that yields abundant crops of medium-sized tomatoes.
1. 'Big Beef': A popular beefsteak tomato with excellent flavor and disease resistance.
1. 'Sweet Million': A prolific cherry tomato variety with exceptionally sweet flavor.
1. 'Roma': A determinate variety ideal for making sauces and pastes.

Consider these factors when choosing tomato varieties for hot house growing:

1. Determinate vs. Indeterminate: Determinate varieties grow to a fixed size and produce all their fruit at once, while indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. Indeterminate varieties are generally preferred for hot house growing because they offer a longer harvest period.
1. Disease Resistance: Choose varieties that are resistant to common tomato diseases such as Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, and tomato mosaic virus.
1. Taste Preference: Select varieties that offer the flavor and texture you desire.

Creating the Ideal Growing Environment for Your Hot House Tomatoes

Success ingrowing hot house tomatoes hinges on creating the optimal growing environment. This involves careful management of temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation.

Temperature Management

Tomatoes thrive in temperatures between 70°F and 85°F during the day and 60°F and 70°F at night. Use a thermostat-controlled heater and ventilation system to maintain these temperatures within your hot house. Monitoring temperatures regularly is very important.

Humidity Control

High humidity can promote the development of fungal diseases. Aim for a humidity level between 50% and 70%. Adequate ventilation is crucial for controlling humidity. Avoid overwatering, and consider using a dehumidifier if necessary.

Light Requirements

Tomatoes require plenty of sunlight to produce abundant fruit. If natural light is insufficient, supplement with grow lights. LED grow lights are a popular choice because they are energy-efficient and provide the appropriate spectrum of light for tomato growth.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential for regulating temperature, humidity, and air circulation. Open vents or use fans to promote airflow within your hot house. Good ventilation helps prevent disease and ensures that plants get the carbon dioxide they need for photosynthesis.

Planting and Caring for Your Hot House Tomatoes

The process of planting and caring for yourgrowing hot house tomatoes is similar to growing them outdoors, but with a few key differences.

Starting Your Tomato Plants

You can start your tomato plants from seed or purchase transplants from a local nursery. If starting from seed, sow the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your desired planting date. Use a seed-starting mix and provide plenty of light. For many climates and outdoor growing, this would be done in late winter. But you can adjust for growing year round in a hot house or greenhouse!

Transplanting

Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into your hot house. Space the plants according to the variety's mature size, typically 2-3 feet apart. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and gently place the plant in the hole. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.

Soil and Fertilization

Tomatoes prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a p H between 6.0 and

6.8. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve its structure and fertility. Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer formulated for tomatoes. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production. Many growers use slow release fertilizer in their green houses to avoid having to add fertilizer as often.

Watering

Water your tomato plants deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Avoid overhead watering, which can promote disease. Drip irrigation is an efficient way to deliver water directly to the roots. Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Pruning and Training

Indeterminate tomato varieties require pruning to maintain their shape and promote airflow. Remove suckers (the shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches) to encourage the plant to focus its energy on fruit production. Provide support for your tomato plants using stakes, cages, or trellises. This will prevent the plants from sprawling on the ground and will improve air circulation.

Harvesting and Enjoying Your Hot House Tomatoes

The moment you've been waiting for! Harvest your tomatoes when they are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Gently twist the fruit from the vine. Store your harvested tomatoes at room temperature for the best flavor.

There's nothing quite like the taste of a homegrown tomato, especially one that you've cultivated yourself in your very own hot house. Enjoy yourgrowing hot house tomatoes fresh in salads, sandwiches, sauces, or simply sliced with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. With a little effort and attention, you can savor the taste of summer all year round!