Growing Tomatoes In Containers

Tomatoes are the perfect crop for small spaces: rewarding, productive and delicious.

I will go into hydroponics tomato growing in another post, for now lets concentrate on using  soil in containers to grow tomatoes. You can grow them on a windowsill for cherry tomato bushes, In larger containers on your balcony, or if you have a yard or patio. 

Let go...
Lets assume that you have already germinated the tomato seeds, once the seedlings are showing their first true leaves, they are ready for transplanting into the larger containers. 

1. Choose the right size container for the variety

• At least a six litre (1.5 gallon) for dwarf, bush types or vining cherry tomatoes. You can probably use smaller containers for cherry tomatoes, but the yield will not be as abundant. They look nice as ornamentals as well.  
• At least a ten litre (2 gallon) for a larger tomatoes.
• 2. Grow cherry tomatoes rather than big beefsteak tomatoes.
  Cherry tomatoes grow and ripen more easily, and will usually give you a better crop. Dwarf, bush cherry tomatoes (perfect for small pots and hanging baskets) recommended  Heirloom vareties include( Suitable for tropical climates) 
  • Orange Dwarf Tomato " Venus"
  • Red Dwarf Tomato "Vilma"
  • Red Dwarf Tomato "Roma VF"
  And some recommended larger (bigger Plant) varieties include(suitable for tropical climates) 
  • Yellow Pearshaped 
  • Red Tomato San Marzano
  • Red Tomato "Seijk
  3. Ensure the roots of your tomatoes receive a good supply of air.
  • Add 10 – 20% perlite to your growing mix. Use good quality potting soil. 
  • Use an Airpot or drill lots of small holes in the side of your pot for the roots to breathe.
  • Or, insert a tube with holes drilled in it, into the growing mix.
  4. Support your tomatoes with stakes or strings.
  • Bush tomatoes also benefit from support.
  5. When watering, it’s important the whole soil area is saturated with water.
  • Add a cup of used washing up water to your watering can once every couple of weeks. This acts as a wetting agent, and helps re-wet areas that have dried out. (Take note: Its always better to under mix than to over mix.)
  • Also take note not to over water, tomatoes do not like soil conditions that are too wet, it will cause diseases. Especially for Hot tropical climates, its usually better water slightly less than you would like to, and to let the soil dry out slightly inbetween watering. Have learnt this the hard way, once the tomato plant has a disease, it becomes super difficult to get rid of it, and the crop that you have(should the plant not die) will not be as ideal.  
  6. Feed little and often
  • I always use hydroponic solutions to feed the tomato plants even if they are planted in soil. In the long run its more economical. And always err on the side of less is more... For example, you might feed half the recommended dose twice as often.
  7. Things to note: 
  The growing conditions of your garden will vary from mine or anyone else's. Paying attention to your plants reaction is the best way to make sure that your crop will be rewarding you fruitily. If something looks wrong, its usually because the growing conditions are less than optimal.
  My belief is that all plants, their only purpose in life is to grow. Give them the right conditions, they can never fail you. ( Everything i ever planted always died, until i discovered this belief and made it work ) Everyone has a green thumb. You just gotta find it. 
  
  

  Your turn

  What’s your favourite tomato variety or tomato growing tip? I’d love to hear in the comments below.