If you are missing that delicious taste of garden fresh tomatoes this winter – you need to try your hand at growing a Red Robin Dwarf tomato plant indoors – it really is the perfect tomato plant to keep on enjoying home grown tomatoes all winter long – right in your windowsill!
Let’s face it, for gardeners, wintertime can be tough. Not only are the days colder and the daylight hours shorter – it’s also a bit depressing heading to your local grocery store and finding less than desirable fruit and vegetables. And spring can seem a long way off in the middle of December or January!
But that’s exactly where growing a few fresh tomatoes can help. And yes, although growing tomatoes indoors during the middle of winter might seem like more than a simple challenge, it doesn’t have to be. Especially when you grow a dwarf tomato variety like Red Robin.
The Beauty Of The Red Robin Dwarf Tomato Plant – The Perfect Tomato Plant To Grow Indoors
Red Robin dwarf is an easy to grow tomato variety that is small enough to fit in a sunny windowsill – or can grow just as happily under a small, tabletop LED grow light. The plant grows to reach only about 12 inches tall, making it a perfect fit for small spaces, countertops, or anywhere it can get a little light.
The seeds are easy to start, germinating and growing quickly in the warmth of the indoors. But perhaps best of all, although it may be small in size, this sturdy little plant can produce a big crop of small, bright red cherry tomatoes. Tomatoes that are sweet, juicy, and perfect for salads and snacking.
Here is an in-depth look at how to plant and care for a Red Robin dwarf tomato plant indoors this winter – from seed to harvest!
How To Grow The Perfect Tomato Plant To Grow Indoors This Winter – The Red Robin Dwarf Tomato Plant!
Although you can occasionally find dwarf tomato plants for sale at a local nursery or garden center, in the middle of winter, the easiest method is to simply start your own plants from seed. Affiliate Seed Link: Dwarf Red Robin Tomato Seeds, Heirloom Non-GMO, Sweet, Low Acid, Determinate
One thing to note about the Red Robin variety is that it is a determinate plant. That means it will grows to a set height and produce its fruit all at once over a two to three week period.
Growing a determinate plant makes it even easier to manage indoors. You don’t have to worry about excessive growth or branches sprawling everywhere. It also allows you to plant a couple of plants a few weeks apart to have plenty of fresh tomatoes coming on all winter long.
Planting Seeds – How To Grow The Perfect Tomato Plant To Grow Indoors
As for what you will need in the way of supplies, success all starts with a good quality pot. It’s best to avoid shallow containers. Select pots that are at least 6 to 8 inches deep. This will allow for plenty of root growth to power the plant. In addition, be sure that it has plenty of good drainage holes to let excess moisture escape.
It’s also important to start with a quality, fertile potting soil mix. Like all tomato plants, even though it’s a dwarf variety, Red Robin needs a lot of nutrients to grow, flower and fruit. Affiliate Link: Burpee, 9 Quarts | Premium Organic Potting Natural Soil Mix Food Ideal for Containers
Plant 2 to 3 seeds directly in your pot about 1/4 inch deep in the soil. Planting more than one seed ensures you will have at least one germinate. There is no need to start these as transplants and replant them later since they will stay indoors.
Cover your seeds gently with a thin 1/8th layer of potting mix. Lightly mist the soil to make it moist but not soggy. Place the pot in the warmest location in the house. Contrary to popular belief, the seeds do not need light to sprout – only warmth.
Watering The Seeds…
Water the seeds gently using a spray bottle or small watering can whenever the top layer of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to problems like mold or root rot.
Within 5 to 10 days, you should see tiny green sprouts popping up. Once the seedlings are about 2 inches tall, thin them out by snipping the weaker ones with scissors, leaving the strongest seedling in the pot. You can also lightly lift the extra seedlings from the pot and transplant to have more than one plant.
Caring For Red Robin Tomato Plants Indoors – The Perfect Tomato Plant To Grow Indoors
Once the seeds germinate, place the pot in a sunny, south-facing window where the seeds can get at least 6 to 8 hours of light daily. If you don’t have enough natural light, you can use a small LED grow light. Position the light 6-12 inches above the soil and keep it on for about 12 hours a day.
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Like most tomato plants, Red Robin tomatoes like their soil to be consistently moist, but not soaking wet. Check the soil regularly by touching the top inch. If it feels dry, water the plant until water just starts to drain from the bottom of the pot.
During winter, indoor plants typically don’t dry out as quickly, so you won’t need to water as often as you would in summer. Be careful not to let the soil stay waterlogged, as this can harm roots.
The Red Robin tomato grows best in temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). If growing with a grow light away from a sunny window, be sure to keep the plant in a warm spot away from drafts or cold windows. If the air in your home is very dry, you can use a small humidifier near the plant or misting the leaves with water occasionally.
Fertilizing & Harvesting – The Perfect Tomato Plant To Grow Indoors
Tomato plants are heavy feeders, even small ones like the Red Robin. About 3 weeks after the plant has sprouted, start feeding it with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Look for a fertilizer that’s labeled for tomatoes or vegetables. Follow the instructions on the label for mixing and applying. Affiliate Fertilizer Link: Espoma Organic 8 Ounce Concentrated Tomato Plant Food
If you notice yellowing leaves or slow growth, it might be a sign the plant needs more nutrients. Always be aware of the soil’s moisture level as well – yellowing leaves can also be a sign of overwatering.
One of the best parts about growing Red Robin tomatoes indoors is watching the plant produce its bright, juicy tomatoes. With proper care, you can expect your plant to start flowering and producing fruit about 55 to 65 days after planting.
The small cherry tomatoes will turn a deep, bright red when they’re fully ripe. The fruit should be firm but slightly soft to the touch. To pick, gently twist the tomatoes off the vine, or use small scissors to snip them off. Be careful not to damage the plant as you harvest.
Because it is a determinate plant, Red Robin will produce all of its tomatoes over a two to three week period. Once that occurs, no amount of fertilizer or watering will bring it back. This is exactly why many gardeners choose to grow a few plants a few weeks apart to always have fresh tomatoes at their disposal.
Here is to growing your own perfect tomatoes indoors this year! For more varieties of tomatoes you can grow indoors, check out our article: How To Grow Cherry Tomatoes Indoors.
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!