The short answer is yes they can. Is it a good idea to overwinter tomato plants? Or is it better to just let them die off in the winter and start again with fresh tomato seeds the following spring? That is what this article will explore.
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, gardeners often bid farewell to their beloved tomato plants, fearing the impending frost that signals the end of the growing season. However, with the right techniques and a bit of planning, it’s possible to extend the life of these productive plants through the winter months and enjoy fresh tomatoes even when snow blankets the ground. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of overwintering tomato plants, exploring various methods to keep them thriving until the next year.
Are tomato plants perennial?
The ancestor of our commonly ground garden tomato plants is a perennial from South America. So whilst we tend to treat them as annual plants they can in fact be perennial plants. The reason we don’t tend to overwinter tomatoes is because by the end of the growing season they are often full of disease, affected by blight and as soon as the first frost comes the tender vegetation succumbs to the cold. However, not all hope is lost, as there are strategies to protect these crops from the chill of winter.
Options for overwintering tomatoes
There are two different things that could happen to tomato plants over winter.
- Where there is enough heat and light and the right cultivar is growing then fruiting CAN happen throughout the winter. In my climate this requires a lot of resource in the form of heating and lighting. In warmer climates the resource load may be less.
- A cutting from last year’s tomato plant can be taken and it can survive overwinter, ready to produce fruit the following spring/summer. This is much less resource intensive and means that the cutting will have a head start over any tomatoes grown from seed.
Tomato Varieties and Their Adaptability to Cold Weather
When considering overwintering tomato plants, it’s essential to choose varieties that are well-suited to colder climates. While some tomato varieties, such as determinate types like Early Girl or Tiny Tim, are more sensitive to cold and have a shorter growing season, others, like indeterminate tomato plants such as cherry tomatoes or heirloom varieties, exhibit greater resilience and can thrive in cooler temperatures.
Overwintering Tomato Plants: Strategies for Success
- Indoor Tomato Plants: Bringing entire tomato plants indoors protects them from frost and if there is enough heat and light will give a harvest throughout the winter months. Placing them near a south-facing window or under artificial grow lights in a bright location can provide the necessary light levels for continued growth. Only very healthy specimens will make for good indoor tomatoes. If the plants are showing signs of fungal disease, then do not try and overwinter them.
- Tomato Cuttings: Propagating tomato plants from stem cuttings is another viable option for overwintering. By rooting cuttings in water or soil, gardeners can establish new plants that will produce fresh tomatoes in the following year. Only take cuttings from very healthy plants.
- Overwintering Outdoors: In regions with mild winters, tomato plants can be left outdoors with proper protection. Covering them with old sheets or utilizing tomato cages wrapped in plastic can shield plants from cooler conditions, allowing them to survive until spring.
- Heated Greenhouse: For gardeners in colder climates, a heated greenhouse offers an ideal environment for overwintering tomato plants. With warmer temperatures and ample sunlight, plants can continue to thrive despite the frigid weather outside.
- Compost Heap: If you are looking for heat through the winter, don’t forget that your compost heap is a source of heat as the bacteria work on decomposing the compost. Planned carefully, a compost heap within a greenhouse or polytunnel may provide sufficient heat to overwinter tomatoes successfully.
Tips for Success and Common Challenges:
- Monitor soil temperature: Ensure that soil temperatures remain above freezing to prevent damage to the roots of overwintered tomato plants.
- Protect against fungal diseases: Proper air circulation and avoiding overwatering can help prevent fungal diseases that thrive in moist conditions.
- Provide adequate light: Whether indoors or in a greenhouse, ensuring that tomato plants receive sufficient light is crucial for maintaining healthy growth.
My approach
My personal approach is to take cuttings and overwinter these. This is because they are smaller and easier to manage in my climate. But I also always plant seeds fresh in the very early spring so that I have both ready to grow once the winter is passed. I do not expect tomatoes in the winter, and I know that tomatoes grown under artificial lights do not have the same great taste as fresh homegrown summer tomatoes.
Conclusion
Overwintering tomato plants offers a rewarding opportunity for gardeners to enjoy fresh tomatoes year-round, even in the depths of cold winters. By selecting suitable varieties, implementing appropriate overwintering techniques, and addressing common challenges, gardeners can successfully extend the life of their favorite tomato plant and savor the fruits of their labor well beyond the traditional growing season. With a little bit of planning and effort, the prospect of homegrown tomatoes in the dead of winter is not only possible but also incredibly satisfying.