Apartment Tomato Growing

You may think that tomato gardening is impossible if you live in a small condo or apartment, but that is far from the truth! Growing tomatoes indoors is actually easier than it may seem. With a little planning, a pack of seeds, and a sunny windowsill or balcony, you can enjoy fresh, healthy tomatoes all year long.

Supplies for Apartment Tomato Gardening

Indoor gardening is not as tricky or as messy as it may seem. All you need to start out with are a few simple things: tomato seeds or seedlings, seed starting mix and tray (or small pots), 6″ pots, soil mix, tomato stakes or cages, and fertilizer.

Varieties of Plants for Apartment Tomato Gardening

The first step in growing tomatoes indoors is choosing the correct variety. Robert Cox, and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension agency, recommends small varieties such as Pixie, Patio, Toy Boy, Small Fry, or Tiny Tim. Like their names imply, these are dwarf varieties of tomato, and they produce fruits that are one to two inches in diameter.

Germinating Seeds for Apartment Tomato Gardening

Once you have chosen your variety of tomato and bought the seeds, germinate them in the seed starting mix in the tray or in small pots. Once the seedlings have grown to three inches in height, transplant them to the larger pots. If you buy seedlings instead of germinating the seeds yourself, simply plant them directly in the 6″ pots.

Watering Apartment Tomatoes

Water the plants consistently and thoroughly until the water runs out of the hole on the bottom of the pot. Make sure the soil stays evenly moist at all times, although not muddy or boggy. Fertilize the tomatoes around two weeks after transplanting in the 6″ pots with a well-balanced fertilizer, or one specially developed for use on tomatoes. In order to maintain a constant supply of tomatoes all year long, plant more seeds every two weeks or so. This will ensure that there will always be a healthy new plant to replace your older and less productive plants.

Lighting for Apartment Tomatoes

Place the tomato plants on a sunny windowsill, apartment balcony, or doorstep. In tomato gardening, you will see no results unless your plants get at least 7 hours of direct sunlight every day. If you have your plants on a windowsill, rotate them every other day or so to make sure that sunlight reaches the entire plant.

Companion Planting for Apartment Tomatoes

Another fun possibility in indoor gardening is companion planting with your tomatoes. If you have enough room in your condo or apartment, plant a window box with tomatoes, basil, and marigolds. All three plants have similar needs, and benefit each other. Basil has the beneficial effect of enhancing the flavor of the tomatoes, not to mention the fact that they go great together in recipes. Marigolds, on the other hand, help repel insects that are harmful to your tomatoes.

Don’t worry that living in an apartment will hamper your ability to grow ample amounts of healthy, delicious tomatoes. There are many resources for indoor gardening, including small container options, and small tomato options. Gardening in your apartment can be a fun and delicious experience!