Growing Tomatoes with Kratky Hydroponics
Why would we want to grow Kratky tomatoes? First, there's nothing better than a warm, fresh tomato picked fresh from the vine. But the weeding and the work to keep a garden can be daunting. NO MORE!
Using the Kratky method of hydroponics to grow tomatoes, you can skip the weeding and most of the garden chores. Plus, you can even grow tomatoes indoors with Kratky hydroponics all year long. Mmmmmm.... fresh tomatoes right from the vine in the winter.
Kratky Hydroponic Tomato Varieties
Why The Kratky Method
The method is super simple, easy to learn and works well to grow gorgeous tomatoes hydroponically, indoors or outdoors. Just create a hydroponic system using water, a quality led grow light and a simple nutrient solution, with no pump and no electricity for the water. Here's how to grow tomatoes with the Kratky method, step by step.
With the invention of micro and dwarf varieties, you can easily grow indoors all year round.
Indoors or outdoors
Tomato Varieties that Grow Well With The Kratky Method
Almost any tomato variety can grow in the Kratky hydroponic system. What you choose will depend largely on where you will be growing your Kratky tomatoes. Compare 20 cultivars on the tomato varieties page, or start with the top 5 tomato cultivars on the Kratky tomato blog.
See All Varieties
Choosing Your Kratky Tomatoes
Micro / Dwarf Varieties
Wowza, these varieties are super cool, growing tomatoes in a short, compact bush that can easily be grown in limited space. I grow mine on my 2x5 shelf in my office.
Canning / Preserving Varieties
All tomatoes thrive in Kratky hydroponic tomato gardening, including the canning varieties such as the Roma tomato. These will need more space over the micro or dwarf varieties, so they are best grown outdoors.
Outdoor Staking Varieties
While staking varieties can easily grow in the Kratky method, the limitation is space if you want to grow indoors. Outdoors, I think Kratky tomatoes actually grow even better. And, no weeds and easy maintenance!
Tomato Varieties to Avoid
Tomatoes grow super well in the Kratky method, so there are not many varieties that will not work in this method. You are only limited by your space and outdoor conditions.
Kratky Tomato Maintenance
One of my favorite things is that your Kratky tomatoes will not need to be weeded. You do need to keep them trimmed like normal growing, top up the water as they drink, and watch for the common Kratky tomato problems.
Kratky Tomato Containers
You'll need a larger container for Kratky tomatoes if you are not using the dwarf or micro varieties. Here's how big a Kratky tomato container should be.
Indoor Tomato Gardening
Imagine tomatoes all year long in your Kratky tomato garden. And, they can be growing all winter long.
Cherry, Roma and Beefsteak
Read the full guides to cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes in Kratky hydroponics.
Supplies and starter kits
Purchase Supplies and Starter Kits
When I started growing my Kratky tomato garden, I used whatever I had laying around for containers. I even made my own net cups. Over time, I purchased better equipment and supplies to make the job easier and my garden look nicer.
Net Cups
Buying high-quality net cups will enhance your garden. I invested in some good net cups and am still using the same ones 6 years later.
Growing Mediums
Rockwool and clay pebbles are a staple for starting your tomato plants and keeping your micro and dwarf varieties long term.
Nutrients
Using the right nutrients in your Kratky tomatoes is key. You'll want standard nutrients in the beginning, switching to bloom.
In my own words
What's the Best Thing About Kratky Tomato Gardening?
Picking the bright red fruit from the tiny vines and tasting the flavor burst hooked me on growing micro and dwarf tomatoes indoors. Just seeing the little plants growing make me happy.
Wow. I never thought I could grow so much fruit in such a small space. Staggering my plantings ensured I had fresh tomatoes all winter long in my Kratky tomato hydroponic garden.
I start my tomatoes indoors and by the time they are kissing the led grow lights, they are all ready to go outside in the spring. I use my Kratky tomato methods to also grow indoors all year long. You can even clone your tomato plants and keep a steady supply of plants with luscious tomatoes.
Growing Indoors and Outdoors Year Round
Growing in a greenhouse
Kratky Tomatoes grow very well in a greenhouse, both large and small.
Better than traditional methods
No weeding, fewer soil pests and requires much less space to grow your own tomatoes.
Eco-friendly
Hydroponic tomatoes use water efficiently: the water stays in the container instead of draining away into the soil, and there are no weeds to spray.