Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 9, Number 21

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

Grow Tomatoes and Veggies Inside All Year Long

Tomato Dirt is on Pinterest

FEATURE: Get Ready to Grow Tomatoes Indoors

Image: David Cavagnaro

You can take these steps no matter what your indoor tomato growing goal – whether you plan to grow a full-blown indoor tomato crop in a greenhouse or whether you simply plan to start a dozen tomato seedlings to set out in the garden next year.

Tomato Dirt gives you basic information you need to take these three steps right now.

1. Look at the calendar. Do you want to have fresh tomatoes during the off-season? You will need to start your tomato plants soon after the outdoor season is over. (In the northern hemisphere, that is now.) But if your goal is to start tomato seedlings indoors to set out in the garden next spring, then study the calendar. Determine the date in the spring in which you want to set out plants and then count back 8 weeks to identify the date to start your seedlings.
2. Choose where to grow tomatoes. There are 3 places to grow tomatoes indoors: the windowsill (cheapest, but must face south to get most light), under grow lights (gives plants 12-16 concentrated light a day) or in a greenhouse (gives plants a warm, lighted environment.) Get more information about tomato grow lights and tomato greenhouses.
3. Select tomato seeds. If you want to grow plants indoors throughout the winter, choose dwarf varieties (which take less space) or short-season varieties (so fruit matures quicker.) If you plan to start tomato seedlings indoors for next spring, then consider what types of tomatoes work best in your microclimate.

Read more tips about how to grow tomatoes indoors … and check out some helpful pointers and visuals on our Indoor Tomatoes Pinterest board.

Special for Tomato Dirt-ers: Gardener’s Supply Fall Clearance

Tomato Growing Tip: Use Adjustable Grow Lights

Image: Tomato Dirt

Get more tips for growing tomatoes on our Tomato Growing Tips Pinterest board.

Use These to Grow Tomatoes Indoors

Tabletop grow light kits – makes it easy to start and grow tomatoes	Germination mat – keeps seeds warm during seed starting from Hydrofarm	Indoor grow lights to start tomato seeds from Gardener’s Supply, others

More Tips for Growing Tomatoes Indoors