Can you grow tomatoes all year in a greenhouse?

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Tomatoes grown in a greenhouse are protected from the elements, such as cold and rain, which can cause fungal infections. Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse all year demands attention and money. All conditions, including pollination, must be managed.

This article will offer insight into effectively growing tomatoes in your greenhouse during the different seasons.

Factors necessary for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse

Temperatures

For effective growth and productivity, the temperatures in the greenhouse need to be 70-80 F. (21-27 C.) during the day and night temperatures of 60-65 F. (15-18 C.).

Therefore, this will require cooling during the day or warming at night, depending on your climatic region and season.

Air circulation

The plant also requires effective air circulations provided by proper spacing and exhaust fans. This factor is essential for the internal environment as it also helps keep the humidity levels constant. Fluctuating humidity levels can favor the growth of fungi, bacteria, and viruses and destroy plants.

Spacing

As we just saw above, spacing is essential for adequate air circulation. Additionally, with proper spacing, light can reach all the plant leaves.

Plain tomatoes in paired rows 28-30 inches (71-76 cm.) apart would be best. Also, the space from one pair to the next should be 36 inches (91 cm.)

Avoid crowding your tomato plants and ensure a distance of at least 24 inches or 61 cm between plants. If you plant them any closer, they will compete for resources such as nutrients and water. This competition will lead to weak plants with light green leaves and low yields.

Watering

Tomatoes require well-drained soils to thrive. For this reason, as you water your plants, avoid getting the ground too wet.

Drip irrigation is an excellent watering choice, ensuring moderate and consistent eater supply directly to the plant roots.

Also, as you water, the plants aim to keep the moisture content below 90%. Moisture levels above this encourage the growth of molds which destroy the plants. This also goes hand in hand with the proper ventilation we covered above.

Avoid watering the plants until the soil is dry to ensure these moisture levels. This also helps the gardener understand the amount of water your plants require. Depending on how fast the water dries up, you can water the plants daily.

Misting the plants is also helpful as it helps distribute the water evenly. At the same time, it helps with the problem of overwatering your plants. Additionally, it prevents soil from splashing on the tomato plant leaves. Always remember that wetting the tomato leaves and fruit attracts diseases.

The best watering time for your greenhouse tomatoes is in the morning. You should, however, avoid watering the plants two to three hours before sunset.

Too much water harms plants as it disrupts the air supply under the soil, causing the root to rot. On the other hand, if you don’t supply enough water to your plants, they will wilt, flowers and fruit might drop, and the yield will go down.

Staking

Staking tomatoes is critical as it prevents the weak stems from collapsing. It also helps control the leaves and fruit from contact with soil and moisture, which causes infections, pest attacks, and rotting.

The process mainly involves supporting the plant and is best done during planting. Remember staking at later stages could harm the plant roots. As the plant grows, you should tie its stalk to the support. The best practice involves tieing each half-foot of the plant.

Lighting

Plants need light to manufacture food. The light available during certain seasons might not be adequate for tomato plants. This is one of the reasons people grow tomatoes in greenhouses during winter.

For this reason, if you grow your tomatoes during winter, you need supplemental lighting throughout the season.

High-pressure sodium lights are excellent lighting for tomatoes in a greenhouse, encouraging flowering and fruiting.

Also, you need to use these lights between 16 to 18 hours a day for the best results. The light you use should also be of the recommended wattage for the area.

It would help if you also considered growing light, as tomatoes require a lot of sunlight. This kind of light is most appropriate during winter as it also helps increase the temperatures around the plants.

Location

Before you place your tomatoes in a greenhouse, ensure that it is healthy. For this reason, you need to treat any diseases and pests you feel could threaten the health of the plants before growing them there.

The practice of crop rotation is essential in taking of these problems. Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot every season. It encourages the growth of tomato viruses, fungi, pests, and bacteria.

Plant companionship is also helpful. In this case, you must plant your tomatoes close to plants that deter specific pests and diseases. Some excellent choices for tomato companionship include lavender and basil. The two plants will help deter whiteflies that commonly spread diseases and problems among tomato plants.

If you want more tips on growing tomatoes, check out the video below, where I take you through how to get mind-blowing results.

Choice of tomato variety

The tomato variety you choose should be suitable for the greenhouse. As you purchase, research the different types of tomatoes and choose a greenhouse breed that suits your needs.

Generally, there are two types of tomatoes: determinate and indeterminate.

The determinate variety has more compact bushes and takes up less space. Additionally, they do better in large pots and require more frequent watering.

Another distinctive feature of these tomatoes is that they produce tiny fruits that ripen all at once, after which the plant dies.

Indeterminate tomato plants are more extensive and taller. They also require support to stay up. You will, therefore, need to provide staking or cages for the tomatoes.

Indeterminate tomatoes are also tastier and bigger. These tomatoes also require larger spacing to flour and give a good yield. Additionally, they reproduce for longer.

Since indeterminate tomatoes are more extended, if you have a smaller space or greenhouse, you might consider some smaller types called miniature or dwarf tomatoes.

Here are some excellent tomato choices for greenhouses: sweet million, gardeners delight, Cappricia, and Sungold. For potting, you can go for the sweet million variety.

These are not the only tomato varieties you can grow in greenhouses. Some outdoor tomatoes also do well in a greenhouse. If unsure, you can always seek help from specialists. You can also read the packaging and see if the tomato is suited for greenhouse farming. Greenhouse varieties are always indicated.

It is important to note that it will fail if a tomato variety is unsuitable for greenhouse conditions.

Soil Preparation

Tomatoes require well-fertilized soil to flourish. The use of compost provides an endless supply of nutrients to your plants. As you add the compost, remember that this is a greenhouse, and there will be rainfall.

The use of too much compost could destroy the plant roots. For this reason, find a balance by using compost in moderation. Additionally, you can neutralize the manure by adding hay or leaves.

Ensure to mix in the compost with the existing soil effectively. This helps in spreading the manure evenly through the ground. Additionally, you also break the particles of the soil and waste. This is necessary for the growth of the plant roots.

Next, you need to dig the hole and add fertilizer. The best fertilizer choice for tomato plants is that with high phosphorous levels. Other essential nutrients for tomatoes include magnesium, nitrogen, calcium, and potassium. Nevertheless, you should test the soil before adding the fertilizer.

Controlling Pests and diseases

Tomatoes are prone to attacks by pests and diseases. Tomatoes pests include whiteflies, aphids, nematodes, flat beetles, and cutworms. The most threatening of these pests are whiteflies and aphids.

Here are some measures to control pests:

Aphids

You must remove infected leaves and remove them from the greenhouse to prevent the spread. Alternatively, you can use natural control methods such as ladybugs. These insects help keep plants healthy by feeding on aphids and other pests. Also, it would help if you acted as soon as you noticed the pests’ signs because they spread fast. I wrote an article on how to get rid of aphids. You can read it here.

Cutworms

Put cardboard cones around the seedlings to prevent cutworms from attacking your plants.

Flea beetles

To contain this pest, you need to place sticky traps. As for the young plants, you can cover them.

Nematodes

Plant rotation is an effective solution to the problem, and you might need to sterilize the soil in areas with severe infections.

Whiteflies

These pests can be controlled through sticky traps. Another solution is the use of ladybugs. Always remember that pesticides are not good for edible plants and should come as a last resort. I wrote an article on how to get rid of whiteflies. You can read it here.

Damping-off

This is a tomato disease caused by viruses. The disease often affects young and fragile tomato plants. It leads to a black wound close to the soil line, after which the plant dies. It occurs from overwatering, overcrowding, and low temperatures.

To prevent the virus, ensure the soil you use for potting is fresh and clean. You should also avoid frequent or overwatering your plants, especially within the first two weeks after germination.

Fusarium wilt

This is a common soil-borne fungus infection that affects tomatoes and other vegetables. It is only detected when the fruit starts to mature. The plant side leaves turn yellowish at this time, and the stalk will appear brownish when sliced. To prevent the fungus, you can practice crop rotation with plants that do not support the virus. You should also avoid watering the leaves, more so in cold weather.

General ways of controlling pests and diseases:

• Plucking weeds

• Remove infected leaves to prevent the spread

• Use of good fertilizers

• You are planting tobacco plants close by. However, if you are a smoker, always wash your hands before touching the plants.

• Ensure the greenhouse is well-ventilated, more so in summer

• If you are growing potted plants, replace the soil before planting another set of tomatoes to prevent plants from getting infected with diseases from the previous plants.

• Avoid overwatering the soil and keep it just moist. Damp soil promotes damping-off disease and other problems such as mold.

• Avoid using overhead irrigation, as wetting the leaves of tomato plants can expose the plant to diseases.

• Prune falling leaves to allow sunlight to reach all the plant leaves and prevent fungus-like grey molds.

FAQs on Can you grow tomatoes all year in a greenhouse?

How long can a tomato plant live in a greenhouse?

A tomato plant has a long life span of three years in a greenhouse. It would be best if you had essential skills and the proper care. All a tomato plant needs in a greenhouse is water, fertilizer, and love.

How long does it take for tomatoes to produce?

Tomatoes take 20 to 30 days to mature from the moment they first appear in the ground, so expect your tomato plants to start producing fruits 40 to 50 days after planting.

Can you grow tomatoes in an unheated greenhouse?

Temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius or greater are required for good tomato growth. Your plants will be harmed by a lower temperature, mainly if they are young. If it’s freezing outside or even inside your unheated greenhouse, you won’t be able to seed tomatoes.

Conclusion on Can you grow tomatoes all year in a greenhouse?

A greenhouse will be the perfect solution if you seek to grow tomatoes all year round. Crop maintenance in a greenhouse is also costly. For this reason, you must do thorough research to do it right and reduce losses.

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