Tomatoes are one of the most popular cultivars for the home gardener. They originated in South America. During the 1500's early explorers brought tomatoes to Europe and from there they eventually spread to the United States, though much later. It was not until 1825 that they were considered a food crop because most people thought they were poisonous. Today we know the actual plant parts are poison, but the fruits are tasty and delicious.
You can grow tomatoes year round, indoors without a greenhouse. Treat them just like a house plant. They will do best in a south or southeast window sill, but fluorescent light will work too. A temperature ranging between 70 to 85 degrees should be sufficient. Do not place tomatoes near gas stoves as the plants are sensitive to it and they will die. If you are a novice try choosing from varieties that do well in containers such as Patio, Tumbling Tom, or Small Fry. Use a three to five gallon pot for best yield and do not forget to water! Tomatoes, especially in containers, need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash, but be careful on account of too much nitrogen causes delayed fruit maturity and uneven fruiting.
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