Tomatoes are one of the most popular crops to grow, as they are incredibly versatile when it comes to prepping, cooking and eating in a range of different dishes. The taste of homegrown tomatoes is often considered to be far superior to those that you can buy in a shop — and the process of growing your own is highly rewarding. You can grow tomatoes in a number of ways, including containers and window boxes.
Growing tomatoes in pots can be super easy. All you need is some large pots, lots of sun, good soil, water and fertilizer. Use these tips to get you started.
Best Types of Tomatoes to Grow in Pots
Different varieties of tomatoes have different growing requirements. They are classified into three types:
- Indeterminate: These tomatoes prefer to grow on vines and continue to grow throughout the season. They will fruit over a relatively long period of time.
- Determinate: Tomatoes will grow in a more compact, bushy style and stop growing when they reach their mature size. The fruit tends to ripen within a narrow time frame.
- Semi-determinate: This type makes up a smaller percentage of tomato varieties and will also grow in a compact manner. They produce fruit over a longer period than determinate varieties.
Determinate and indeterminate types tend to be the best for growth in pots due to their compact nature; however, indeterminate varieties can also be grown in a large pot if there is enough room for vines to climb.
There are also special dwarf and patio varieties that are designed to grow in containers or hanging baskets. Look for these terms on the plant label or seed description.
Some of the best tomato varieties to grow in pots and containers include salad tomatoes such as beefsteak or roma, and cherry tomatoes such as tiny tims.
Selecting the Right Soil
Before purchasing your tomatoes to begin growing, you will need to get the pots prepared with rich, good-quality soil, as tomato plants grow quickly and will need the best for optimal development.
Garden soil is not suitable for pots, as it is too heavy and will quickly become compacted. This can restrict the flow of water and nutrients to the crops while potentially containing soil-borne diseases and pests that will be harmful to your tomato plants.
Instead, opt for specially designed potting mix or potting soil that contains ingredients such as peat moss and perlite to improve drainage and allow water and nutrients to flow freely to the roots of the plant. Of course, as with any planting and growing activity, choosing a high-quality mix will enable you to get the most out of your tomatoes.
Choosing the Best Pots
Tomatoes need to be planted in larger pots for the best growth because they develop large root systems. Pots should be at least 12 inches wide and deep, though the principle here is the bigger, the better.
Tomato pots come in a range of materials, such as ceramic, plastic, fiberglass, terra cotta, metal, wood and stone. Each pot comes with its own considerations; for example, metal or black plastic could attract too much heat and cause plant stress, and terra cotta pots will dry out faster, requiring more frequent watering.
Containers need to have adequate drainage holes in the bottom. If placed on a nonporous surface, such as a patio, they should be elevated on pot feet to allow adequate drainage. For a budget-friendly option, even a large plastic bucket could work for growing tomatoes so long as you add enough drainage holes.
It’s also good to place your pots on rotatable, moving caddies. This will allow you to turn or move the tomato plants around to take advantage of the best light at different points of the day or season.
Planting Tomatoes in Pots
Tomato plants can be grown from young plants or from seeds. The best time to plant them outdoors in pots after most of the risk of frost has passed. It may be worth investing in a protective fleece to cover them on the off chance of late frost.
Before planting, mix a good-quality, slow-release fertilizer into the soil — you can find options that are specially formulated for vegetables or tomatoes. Bone meal is also a great addition, as this will boost calcium and assist in preventing certain diseases such as blossom stem end rot.
Dig a hole in the soil and place the plant or seeds below soil level to allow the roots to develop efficiently. If planting a crop that is already nursery-grown, you can bury the stem up to the first set of leaves. Fill the hole with soil and gently pat down to remove air pockets before watering thoroughly.
It’s also a good idea to add a layer of mulch such as shredded bark, straw or compost around the base of the plants to help to protect the roots, retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Caring for the Plants
Tomatoes will need a certain set of conditions to grow well within a pot. Here are some key things to consider:
Light
They love heat and thrive in the sunshine, so will need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight throughout the growing season. Well-lit areas such as patios, decks and even balconies if you have them are ideal spots.
Space
Avoid placing pots in cramped areas and ensure there is adequate space around them for the air to circulate freely. This will help to prevent plant diseases.
Water
Tomato plants require plenty of water, especially once they grow bigger and start to develop a larger root system. Tomatoes growing in pots will dry out more quickly than those growing in the ground and will need to be watered more often.
Tips for watering:
- Keep the plants evenly moist and never allow the soil to dry out. However, avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and other diseases.
- Water slowly and deeply, allowing the water to be completely absorbed into the soil. Keep watering until you begin to see it leaking out of the bottom of the container.
- Ensure that you water plants at least once or twice a day during more prolonged heat or dry spells.
- Water your tomatoes early in the day to reduce evaporation and allow the leaves to dry out — this can help to prevent moisture-borne diseases. Focus watering around the base of the plant.
Fertilizing
Tomatoes will need lots of nutrients to support their rapid growth and produce a good harvest. As plants grown in pots will require more frequent watering, they will lose nutrients faster and need fertilizing more often.
Add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil before planting. Once they begin flowering, supplement with a balanced liquid fertilizers such as compost tea every two weeks.
Support
Stems that are heavy with tomatoes can bend or break without adequate support. At the time of planting, add a tomato cage or stake in the pot to give the plants support and prevent them from snapping or falling over.
Pruning
For indeterminate type, remove suckers growing between the side branches and primary stem as they do not produce tomatoes and take energy away from the fruit-bearing branches.
Avoid pruning determinate bush types because you may be cutting off fruit-bearing branches, but remove the lower leaves touching the soil to prevent soil-borne diseases.
Harvest Time
By following this guide, you should eventually be left with a beautiful crop of tomatoes ready to harvest and eat. Tomatoes are best eaten straight from the vine when they are still warm from the sun but can be stored for a week or so at room temperature. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator as the cold can give them a mushy texture.
Fresh tomatoes can be enjoyed in a range of salads and sandwiches. Most types are also suitable for cooking, especially plum varieties. If you have been able to grow a large number of tomatoes, why not try experimenting with creating your own pasta sauces?
Growing tomatoes is a fun and rewarding task, and will hopefully leave you with masses of fresh, nutritious produce ready for consumption. Now is the time to explore the different types of tomatoes you can plant in your pots, each with their own distinctive shaped fruit, flavor and culinary uses.
Happy growing!
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