Growing tomatoes in containers is a great option for those with limited space or who want to grow tomatoes on a patio or balcony. By choosing the right variety. a large pot with good soil, and regular plant maintenance, you should have stunning tomatoes in no time.
Choose the right tomato variety
Select a tomato variety that is suited for container gardening, such as determinate or dwarf tomato plants. These varieties are more compact and produce fruit earlier in the season. For container gardening, I would suggest going with a determinate variety such as the Ruby Crush or Orange Hat cherry tomatoes
You can learn more about determinate vs indeterminate varieties here: What’s the Different Between Determinate and Indeterminate Tomatoes?
Select the right container
Choose a container that is at least 18-24 inches in diameter and at least 12 inches deep. Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged roots. Pay for the bigger pot to ensure that you get great tomatoes in August.
If you are going with the GardenStalk vertical garden planter, I recommend their original 5 tier for planting larger plants such as tomatoes. I have personally used mine for years to grow smaller determinate cherry tomatoes successfully year over year.
Good quality soil
Use a high-quality potting mix specifically designed for container gardening, as it provides adequate drainage and nutrients. By using a high-quality organic soil, like FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil, your tomatoes will have a happy home to thrive in. The soil should also have the right pH balance for the tomato to thrive fully. They prefer a slightly acidic soil at 6.2 – 6.8 ph.
Fertilize the soil
The soil should be mixed properly with good quality fertilizer, I particularly like the Espoma Organic Garden-Tone 3-4-4 Organic Fertilizer or Trifecta+ 5-10-4 Organic All Purpose Plant Flower and Vegetable Fertilizer for organic vegetable gardens. Depending on what fertilizer you use, you may need to fertilize the soil every few weeks. Read the package and follow the instructions on your fertilizer for best results.
Proper watering
Since the tomato fruit is 95% water, the plant needs lots of water regularly. You have to water the plant regularly or when the soil appears as if it drying out. Water deep to ensure the entire pot is hydrated for the day, especially in hotter climates such as in zones 9a – 10b. With a regular water schedule, you should have no issues growing your tomatoes.
Provide proper support
As your tomato plants grow, provide support using stakes, cages, or trellises to keep the plants upright and prevent them from breaking under the weight of the fruit. If you are on a budget, the standard wire cages will do fine. For more advanced gardens, you can use the single-string method to trellis your tomatoes up on a single string, trimming back any excess foliage as the plant grows.
Pest and disease control
This is as important as watering. Pest control as well as disease control is important otherwise the fruit will rot even before it blooms. There are plenty of commercially available organic and synthetic pesticides and fungicides, which can combat your woes. Added to this tomatoes need to be pruned regularly. All other factors remain the same as for the tomato plants, which are grown in the soil. I recommend the Bonide Captain Jack’s Neem Oil, 32 oz Ready-to-Use Spray, Multi-Purpose Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide for Organic Gardening. I have used this spray for years and it does well in our garden.
What works for me may not work for you. Don’t be afraid to try other products to combat the pests you may be experiencing in your garden.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to growing delicious tomatoes in containers. Happy gardening!
