Tomato plants are frost-tender and do not usually survive the winter in the United States. However, there are several ways to overwinter tomato plants and keep them alive through the winter months. Here are some tips on what to do with tomato plants in winter:
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Move tomato plants indoors: You can keep a tomato plant alive all winter if you grow it in a container that you could move indoors before the first frost. It might or might not produce fruit during the winter, depending on the temperature of your house and the amount of light the plant receives.
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Grow tomato plants in a winter greenhouse: With the proper trellising structure, you can keep tomato plants through the winter in even a small heated greenhouse. Be sure to hand-pollinate any blooms.
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Overwinter tomato plants as cuttings: Tomato offshoots are easier to overwinter than tomato plants because they require less space. Cut offshoots from the main plant and root them in water or soil. Once they have rooted, move them to a bright location indoors.
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Choose the right variety: Small, determinate tomatoes and wild tomatoes can be wintered well as a whole plant. When moving them into their winter home, cut about half of the plant back to adjust it to the lower evaporation and light requirements of the darker, cooler winter season. Do not remove the side shoots that will form over winter, as they will bear flowers and fruit in the summer.
Remember to start focusing on overwintering about four weeks before your first expected fall frost. Before overwintering your tomatoes, make sure they are well-nourished and healthy plants. A final fertilization in August and September before moving the plants to their winter location ensures they have all the nutrients they need.