Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by Cristina
You’re not the first to wonder how long can a tomato plant live in a greenhouse. Tomatoes are easy to grow, and many gardeners look for ways to extend their lifetime.
A healthy tomato plant will produce juicy, tender red fruits. You can create the perfect growing conditions for them in a greenhouse.
In this article, I share how long tomato plants can live in a greenhouse, whether you can keep them in there all year round and how to take care of them under these conditions.
How Long Can A Tomato Plant Live In A Greenhouse?
Tomatoes have an average lifespan of 6 months. They can live and produce fruit even longer if you grow them in a greenhouse.
The lifespan of the tomato plants in your greenhouse will depend on the temperature, humidity, and sunlight levels they grow in. Under ideal conditions, these plants can live up to 5 years. You can pick fruits early and regularly fertilize your plants to ensure they keep producing more fruit.
If you’re determined to reach success, ensure the climate in your greenhouse stays consistent and that you water your tomato plants frequently.
Can You Leave Tomato Plants in a Greenhouse?
You can leave tomato plants in a greenhouse all year long. There’s no need to transfer them outside if the conditions in your setup are ideal. Tomatoes grow well in a greenhouse, especially the vine varieties. Choosing the right spot in your greenhouse will extend their lifetime and keep your plants healthy.
How Do You Take Care of Tomato Plants in a Greenhouse?
Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse isn’t much different from doing it outside. These plants are adaptable and easy to grow under greenhouse conditions. If you want to extend your growing season and get more crops per year, there are a few things you should do while growing tomato plants in a greenhouse:
Water: Give your tomato plants plenty of water. You can spray them weekly or use a misting system. Tomatoes are thirsty crops and need regular moisture to maintain healthy roots. Water evaporates faster in a greenhouse, so set up a regular schedule.
Air Circulation: A well-circulated greenhouse will reduce diseases and help maintain an ideal humidity level. You can circulate the air in your greenhouse and around your tomato plants by using fans, spacing plants, and cutting their lower leaves.
Soil: You should keep the soil your plants are in moist. Tomatoes aren’t fussy but thrive in loamy soil with a pH of no more than 7. Using organic compost and animal manure will help you reach an ideal balance.
Can You Grow Tomatoes in a Greenhouse In The Summer?
Tomatoes are a great crop choice for greenhouses, and they grow perfectly fine in one during the summer. If you keep their soil moist, allow for enough air circulation, and ensure they aren’t scorched in the sun, your plants will thrive.
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If you live in an area with sweltering summers, I suggest using a cooling system in your greenhouse. This will help keep the temperatures low and the air circulating. Your plants will still get plenty of sun, and if you water them frequently, they’ll continue to produce fruit throughout the summer.
How Do You Keep Tomato Plants Alive In The Winter?
Tomato plants prefer summer temperatures, but you can keep them alive during the winter with special care. If you live in an area with hot and dry days, but cold nights, these tips will work for you too! You should keep temperatures above freezing level to ensure your plants stay healthy and keep producing fruits. Here’s how you can do this:
Use a Greenhouse To Keep Tomato Plants Alive During The Winter
Greenhouses are ideal for growing tomato plants all year round. You can regulate the temperatures in one and ensure humidity levels are ideal for your crops. With the correct setup, you can add a misting system to eliminate the need for manual watering.
A greenhouse can make growing tomatoes easier and keep them warm during colder months. Heat builds up in a greenhouse to ensure the nights aren’t as cool. This will prevent your plants from freezing and keep them alive.
Use Portable Containers To Keep Tomato Plants Alive During The Winter
If you plant your tomatoes in a portable container, you can move them indoors when temperatures drop. At first, you might only need to move them at night. Keep an eye on frost dates to ensure you aren’t caught off guard. Place your containers in a sunny spot so your plants still get enough sunlight exposure during the daytime.
Use Frost Cloth And Other Coverings To Keep Tomato Plants Alive During The Winter
Frost cloth is an effective plant protector during cold nights. There is cloth specifically made for tomato plants, but any type should work. You can even make your own! Pure cotton, plastic, canvas, and tight-knitted mesh are affordable and easy to work with if you want a DIY solution. If you’re growing your tomatoes in containers, you can create a plastic covering for them as well.
Crops That Grow Well In Greenhouses – How Long Can A Tomato Plant Live In A Greenhouse?
There are many crops besides tomatoes that grow really well in a greenhouse. The list of these includes:
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Strawberries
- Herbs
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Eggplant
- Sweetcorn
Each crop has specific growing conditions that’ll work better for it, but they all thrive in a greenhouse setting.
Wrapping Up – How Long Can A Tomato Plant Live In A Greenhouse
Container-grown tomatoes can carry fruit all year round and stay alive for up to 5 years. Getting the right conditions in your greenhouse can take some tweaking, but once you get there, your tomatoes will thrive. This is an easy-to-grow crop, and in ideal greenhouse conditions, you can have regular tomato fruits available.
I hope this article was helpful and a great read! If you have more questions about growing tomatoes, whether in a greenhouse or out, ask them in the comments, and I’ll get back to you.
