What Time of Year Do I Grow Tomatoes?
- Tomato plants are best started indoors in pots large enough to accommodate the plant. Plants can be moved outside once the weather stays above 50 degrees F all day and night, though HelpfulGardner.com suggests that plants won't produce fruit until lows are above 55 degrees F. Indoor greenhouses can control the temperature for plants grown inside.
- Tomato plants require much sunlight--another reason outdoor plants must be planted in the summertime. Indoor plants will need manually controlled light sources.
- Once flowers appear on the tomato plant, it should be planted in outdoor soil in order to encourage full growth of its roots. Soil is in its best growing condition in summertime when it is warm. Indoor plants must have sufficient soil for root growth.
- Tomato plants need sufficient water for root absorption, and watering plants in the summertime assures the plant a water source that will not freeze and will penetrate the soil at a faster rate. Again, indoor plants can have manually controlled atmospheric temperatures.
- While warm summer temperatures allow tomato plants to flourish, the plant can become somewhat frail due to the heavy fruits, and will need stakes to support the plant. The summer temperatures produce soil that will allow for easy staking. Indoor plants can be staked easily since temperatures are controlled.
