Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JOAN BLISS on February 26, 2010 at 9:30am

From what I have read, I would doubt it. I am growing tomatoes here in Portland, Or area, but its in the aerogarden, which provides light 16 hr a day.

Permalink Reply by Sparticuss The Gardenest on February 26, 2010 at 9:47am

From my understanding, Tomatoes need a minimum of 10 hours a day. At our least, we get about that. I haven't seen anyone do it, or try and fail for that matter...

Permalink Reply by Rich Bishop on February 26, 2010 at 9:49am

I doubt that the light intensity will be sufficient for the plants to produce enough carbohydrates to make a tomato. I think the tomato plant is day length insensitive so the short days won't discourage blooming. The plants will live, they just may not flower until there's more light. Would be interesting to see when the solar intensity increases enough for flowering. It may only be a period of a month or two. Who knows.

Permalink Reply by Perry Rosenfeld on February 26, 2010 at 10:51am

Sparticuss,

I live in North Florida, Zone 8. I have grown tomatoes up vertical supports all summer, and in late fall, I cut the lines that support my tomatoes and lie the plants down. Typically there is "green fruit" on the vine, which I leave. I then cover the plants with some hay as a mulch and don't pay much attention. The fruit that was already set will continue to grow for me and the foliage stays alive, but no new fruit will set (no polinators anyway) and I have tomatoes in March, after the last frost.

With this in mind, it may be worth a try if you have established plants next fall, to mulch heavily and see how you do. My ground never freezes. If yours does this may not work. I don't think tomato will survive any really severe cold. I can tell you that they won't grow much, but you can keep them alive over the winter.

Permalink Reply by Sparticuss The Gardenest on February 26, 2010 at 12:05pm

Your situation is very different, you get much more sunlight in the winter in Florida than I do in the winter in Pittsburgh do to the earth's axis of course. I easily control the temp, the soil, and the moisture here, I'm simply wondering if the sunlight in the midst of winter is enough to grow these. I am going to try with a siberien tomato seed and see if it works...

Perry Rosenfeld said:

Sparticuss,

I live in North Florida, Zone 8. I have grown tomatoes up vertical supports all summer, and in late fall, I cut the lines that support my tomatoes and lie the plants down. Typically there is "green fruit" on the vine, which I leave. I then cover the plants with some hay as a mulch and don't pay much attention. The fruit that was already set will continue to grow for me and the foliage stays alive, but no new fruit will set (no polinators anyway) and I have tomatoes in March, after the last frost.

With this in mind, it may be worth a try if you have established plants next fall, to mulch heavily and see how you do. My ground never freezes. If yours does this may not work. I don't think tomato will survive any really severe cold. I can tell you that they won't grow much, but you can keep them alive over the winter.

Permalink Reply by Sparticuss The Gardenest on February 26, 2010 at 12:06pm

People grow pot under lights, I know I can grow tomatoes under lights, but I don't want artificial stuff, I want to do it with real sunlight...

Terry Spears said:

One year I grew Seranno hot peppers in my living room here in Michigan. If you had the room and could provide enough light it should be possible. There is a greenhouse in Gibralter MI. that grows them throughout the winter, but they have a large hydroponic system setup. Plus I guess that people grow marijuana in their basements so why not Tomatoes. If I had the room I know that I could grow them.

Permalink Reply by Rich Clarner on February 28, 2010 at 7:02pm

Sheri Cline said:

Tomatoes are grown year round in green houses/Hot-houses all over the world, even Alaska. As long as you meet the plants light, nutritional, water and temperature requirements, this also goes for avacadoes. You might want to locate & visit in-door botanical gardens in your area. Take a camera and notebook, make notes on what plants they are growing. They post signs with the plants to show you it's classification, Basil- O.'African Blue'. Tired of the snow? Take the family and watch the snow fall as you walk through a tropical garden!

Permalink Reply by Rich Clarner on February 28, 2010 at 7:02pm

yes you are right

Permalink Reply by Sparticuss The Gardenest on March 1, 2010 at 9:41am

about what?

Rich Clarner said:

yes you are right

Permalink Reply by Barbara zn8 VA on March 8, 2010 at 6:41pm

There is a great book "Solviva" which discusses solar greenhouse techniques and the author grew tomatoes year round on Nantucket Island. A great read which discusses some of the pitfalls with a novel method.

Permalink Reply by Sparticuss The Gardenest on March 9, 2010 at 7:31am

Thank you so much, that book sounds right up my alley, I'm going to hunt it down and make it mine!

Barbara zn8 VA said:

There is a great book "Solviva" which discusses solar greenhouse techniques and the author grew tomatoes year round on Nantucket Island. A great read which discusses some of the pitfalls with a novel method.

Permalink Reply by Sparticuss The Gardenest on March 17, 2010 at 12:58pm

I am now reading this book and just as I suspected. The only problem growing toms in the winter here in Pittsburgh would be the pollinating due to the fact that all the bees and other little buggers aren't around in the winter. But a couple quick swabs every couple days will do the trick.

I vow now that I will grow Tomatos successfully this winter. Too many people feel that cold=no more growing. It's mid March and I have tomatoes, cilantro, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, and mustard all growing in my garden, in the ground...
Thanks again for the info, LOVE the book. Good stuff.

Sparticuss The Gardenest said:

Thank you so much, that book sounds right up my alley, I'm going to hunt it down and make it mine!

Barbara zn8 VA said:

There is a great book "Solviva" which discusses solar greenhouse techniques and the author grew tomatoes year round on Nantucket Island. A great read which discusses some of the pitfalls with a novel method.