As the temperatures drop, tomatoes need a little extra TLC to thrive. Whether you’re growing them indoors or keeping an eye on outdoor plants in milder climates, here are three key tips to keep your tomatoes healthy and productive in December.
- Protect Tomatoes from the Cold
Tomatoes are sensitive to frost and cold weather, making temperature management crucial during December. If you’re in a colder climate:
- Outdoor Plants: Cover them with frost blankets or cloches on chilly nights. Mulch around the base to insulate roots.
- Indoors: Keep potted plants near a sunny windowsill, but away from cold drafts.
Tip: If you still have green tomatoes on the vine outdoors, pick them before a hard frost hits and let them ripen indoors.
- Adjust Watering and Feeding
During the cooler months, tomato plants need less water than in summer, as evaporation rates are lower. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Watering: Check the soil regularly. Water only when the top inch feels dry.
- Feeding: Use a balanced fertilizer sparingly, as tomatoes grow more slowly in winter. For fruiting plants, a potassium-rich feed encourages ripening.
Pro Tip: Water in the morning so excess moisture dries off by evening, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
- Maximise Light and Warmth
Shorter days mean less sunlight, which tomatoes need to produce fruit.
- Indoors: Supplement natural light with grow lights, positioning them 6–12 inches above the plants.
- Outdoors in Mild Climates: Prune unnecessary foliage to ensure sunlight reaches ripening fruit.
- Greenhouses: Maintain a consistent temperature of 15–21°C using heaters or insulation if necessary.
Hack: Place potted tomatoes near reflective surfaces or use aluminium foil to bounce light onto the plants.
Tomatoes in December require a bit more care, but with these tips, you can keep your plants healthy and productive through winter. Whether you’re nurturing ripening fruit or preparing for next season, a little effort goes a long way – Happy Gardening!
