I really feel that there is always room for “just one more” space for Growing Tomatoes. It doesn’t matter if your “garden” is just a small concrete balcony or a back patio that gets a lot of sun; all you need is a pot and some sun. There is really nothing better than stepping outside your door and picking a fresh tomato for a sandwich. I’ve been growing them in pots for years. It’s easier than digging up a backyard, but there are some “rookie mistakes” that will kill your harvest before it really starts.
What do you need to Growing Tomatoes in Pots
The Pot: Don’t Cut Back on Size What do you think is the biggest mistake? People trying to cultivate a huge beefsteak tomato in a small ceramic container that looks nice. It doesn’t work.
Your pot needs to be at least 14 inches broad, but 20 inches is the “sweet spot.” Why? Tomato roots like to spread out, that’s why. Small pots dry up quickly, and you’ll have to water them three times a day to keep them from wilting.
The most important thing is drainage: If your container doesn’t have holes at the bottom, your tomato plant is going to die. People have tried to “fix” this by adding rocks at the bottom. Don’t do that. It basically makes a pool of water that doesn’t move, which rots the roots. All you need to do is get a drill and make some holes.
Material Talk I like plastic pots better than other types. They’re not the most beautiful, but they’re lighter and hold moisture better than terra cotta. If you want that “Pinterest look” with clay pots, be ready to water them all the time because clay “breathes” and takes moisture out of the soil.
Fabric Bags Lately, I’ve been utilizing those 10-15 gallon grow bags. They look like bags made of felt. They work well because they “air prune” the roots, which keeps the plant from getting all knotted up and stuck. Also, they fold flat in the winter, which is great if you don’t have a lot of room to store them.
Soil and Sun are What Keep Life Going Do not use “garden soil” from a bag or your own yard. It’s too hefty and will pack down like a brick in a container, which will kill the roots. You need soil for pots. It is light, fluffy, and made to drain.
You need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun. The “goldilocks” zone is usually a place that gets a lot of morning sun but stays cool in the afternoon. Be careful of wind tunnels; a giant tomato plant might behave like a sail, and a strong gust can knock over your whole contraption.
What Kind of Tomato Should You Really Buy?
This is where the labels get folks mixed up.
- Bush (Determinate): These plants grow to a particular height, usually between 3 and 4 feet, and then halt. They usually all ripen at the same time. These are your finest bets if you want to have a “Salsa Sunday.”
- Indeterminate (Vining): These men are beasts. Until the first frost kills them, they will keep growing and making fruit. For these, you’ll need a strong cage or stake.
My “Tried and True” Types
- Veranda: This thing really only grows to be around 18 inches tall. It’s great for a real windowsill.
- Sweetheart of the Patio: A cherry tomato that grows like crazy.
- Bush Early Girl: My favorite “real” slicing tomato because it doesn’t take over the whole porch.
The “Deep Plant” Trick
Here’s a tip that many newbies miss: Put your tomato in the ground deep. I’m talking about putting two-thirds of the stem in the ground. Take off the leaves at the bottom and put it in the ground. Weirdly, tomatoes will sprout more roots all along that hidden stem. This makes the plant much stronger and gives it a huge root system.
And put that cage in right now. Putting a cage over a full-grown plant is like attempting to put a sweater on a cat: it’s hard and someone will get hurt.
Feeding and Watering (The Daily Grind)
Your tomato is completely dependent on you when it’s in a pot. It can’t send roots deep into the ground to locate water.
- The Finger Test: Put your finger in the ground. Water it if it’s dry up to the second knuckle. Water it till it spills out the bottom.
- Fertilizer: Potting mix loses its “food” quickly. Every two weeks, I use a fertilizer that dissolves in water. Don’t use too much nitrogen, otherwise you’ll end up with a gorgeous green bush with no tomatoes.
Planting with a Friend
I always add some basil or marigolds to the container with my tomatoes. It’s not just about looks. Basil is a classic plant to grow with other plants, and it makes it easy to pick for Caprese salads. Marigolds smell good and keep some of the bad critters away, including hornworms. Plus, it makes the pots look a lot more “pro.”
The Prize
That’s the time to pick the tomato when it is fully colored and gives a little when you crush it. Don’t worry if you pluck it a day early because a storm is coming. It will ripen just nicely on the counter.
Growing in pots isn’t simply a way to save room; it’s also a way to have control. You control the land, the water, and the place. This year, start with one or two pots. After you eat your first home-grown cherry tomato, you’ll want to prepare for ten more pots next season.
Author : Clara
