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Tomatos & Peppers (In Winter)
Andrew Kenneth
Posts: 277
in Fruit & veg
Is it possible to grow tomatoes & peppers indoors in Winter?
I have a large window in my house which is in sun almost all day and the central heating would be on.
Read that dwarf types would be best as, they can be on window sills for maximum light and heat also,the radiator is directly underneath the window.
Thanks
0
Posts
If I set up a light source would it work then?
You would have to fool the plants into thinking it was summer so apart from getting the light right, you would have to make sure the temperature didn't dip at night.
Mine really are thriving at around 4 feet with multiple stems producing healthy peppers that are nearly full size now.
I will try and put some pics up a bit later.
My tomato plant this past Christmas. South East facing window, no grow light. It was rather sickly looking, but still produced weekly tasty treats.
I assume you really mean can you harvest the plants in winter? Chillis will produce on a windowsill, but not well. You would do better to freeze pods for winter use. And usually you prune in early january, preventing fruiting.
Yes I meant can you harvest in Winter
Your best bet might be to plant seeds mid-summer, eventually potted on in large pots that can eventually be brought indoors. Give them a good start in a greenhouse or even outdoors (although I would be concerned about blight,etc). Hopefully they are beginning to set flower just as summer is winding up. When it starts to cool outside bring them indoors onto a table in front of your sunniest window. Purchase a grow light that can be suspended directly above the plants (as close as possible). Set it on a timer to run from 7pm to 7am. Hopefully they will continue to flower and fruit for a number of months. The tomatoes should be pretty happy.. cherry tomato varieties would be best. I would imagine the more miniature pepper varieties would be better too.
Personally, winter tomatoes from the shop taste terrible.. I won't even buy them. Where as shop purchased peppers are okay. I would just focus on tomatoes personally. That's what I'll be doing again. They are worth growing just for the smell of the foliage alone. I rub and sniff a leaf occasionally when the days are dark and grey. The smell instantly brings summer and gardening to mind.