How to Grow Tomatoes in Containers

The Advantages of Using Containers for Growing Tomatoes

Tomato container gardening continues to grow in popularity. Why?

For some, it's about limited or small spaces. Urban dwellers face that obstacle, so patio tomatoes are the perfect solution.

For others, it's about focusing on organic growth and controlling the process to ensure healthful eating.

For others, it's just downright enjoyable to see something grow.

Regardless of your motivation, growing tomatoes in containers has some inherent pluses:

• Flexibility: You can take advantage of space limitations. In addition, you can quickly move tomato planters to take advantage of the best growing conditions throughout the season.
• Soil Control: You control your tomatoes' soil, optimizing nutrients and pH levels for the best growth.
• Pest Management: Gardening containers can help reduce the risks of soil-borne pests and diseases. They also make it easier to control pests if they do attack.
• Extended Season: Containers warm up faster than the ground, allowing for an earlier start to the growing season.
  
  

When to Plant Patio Tomatoes Outside

Speaking of starting earlier, tomatoes love warmth. Wait until the nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F (10°C) to plant your tomatoes outside. In most regions, this typically falls after the last frost date in spring.

If you like to start even earlier, be prepared to offer some protection to your plants. Tomato plants can't survive in temperatures under 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures slightly higher than that will stunt growth, causing foliage to wilt or die back.

So you must provide some cover to keep your plants safe and warm. That protection can take numerous forms:

• A garden cloche or glass dome placed over individual plants
• Wall O Water featuring tubular covers with long pockets willed with water
• Plastic cover or tarp
• Space blanket
• Water jugs

Whenever you elect to plant, place your containers where they get full sun. Tomato plants grow best when they receive at least six hours of sunshine.

Best Tomato Varieties for Containers

Now that you know when to start growing your plants, you must decide what to plant. The type of tomato you'll plant will determine your container type. Plus, not all tomato varieties thrive in containers.

Generally, determinate tomatoes do better in gardening containers. That's not to say you can't grow indeterminate varieties, but they'll need more support and soil volume.

You'll see determinate varieties called dwarf, patio, or bush tomatoes. For example, cherry tomatoes are bush tomatoes. Their more compact growth makes them perfect for gardening boxes and containers.

Some of the most well-known varieties include:

• Moby Grape
• Tiny Tim
• Roma
• Gold Nugget
• Tumbler Hybrid
• Sungold
• Celebrity
• Brandywine

Each variety has different color traits, sizes, and sweetness levels. You can have some fun selecting the one that matches your palette.

Selecting the Proper Container for Your Tomatoes

You might think any container would work for growing tomatoes, but you'd be wrong. Container selection is an essential element for growing tomatoes successfully.

Material isn't necessarily critical, though each has its pluses and minuses. Some can overheat your soil, while others can allow moisture to escape. The reality is that you can use a five-gallon bucket if you have one sitting around.

What's critical is the size of your gardening container. Moreover, the type of tomato plant you select impacts the size.

Best Size Container for Tomatoes

Determinate varieties, like those mentioned, demand at least an 18-inch diameter gardening container, while indeterminate tomatoes require a 24-inch or better container. With either variety, it's best to err on the larger side.

Depth is less of a consideration, though 12 inches is a good measure. Tomato plant roots are wider than deeper, so you must allow them to spread with your container.

The other critical consideration for your container is drainage.

Best Soil for Growing Tomatoes in Containers

If you've researched container gardening, you'll know to avoid garden soil. Sure, it's easy to scoop up a bucket of "dirt" from your yard and use it in your container. But you're doomed to fail.

Garden soil compacts in containers, preventing drainage and aeration. At best, your plants and harvest will suffer; at worst, they will die. Tomatoes need loose, rich soil that allows their roots to access nutrients so their roots can spread quickly.

The soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Dolomitic Lime can adjust the soil pH to optimal levels. It also provides calcium and magnesium, essential for preventing tomato blossom end rot.

You can use regular potting mix, but one made specifically for vegetables and tomatoes is a better choice. Whatever soil you use, don't be shy about adding amendments.

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so you should amend the soil to ensure those nutrients are present.

5 Soil Amendments for Tomatoes

Soil amendments can significantly improve the health and productivity of tomato plants by enhancing soil structure, nutrient availability, and moisture retention.

Here are five of the best soil amendments for tomato plants:

1. Manure: Bagged manure is a good starting point. You can get it at your local garden or home center. If you live in the country, you might be able to get it fresh from a local farmer.
2. Compost: Compost is a must-have for any garden. It's rich in nutrients and organic matter. In addition, compost improves soil structure, helps with moisture retention, and encourages healthy root development.
3. Worm Castings: They’re an excellent source of beneficial microbes and nutrients. They improve soil structure and help plants use nutrients more efficiently.
4. Bone Meal: Bone meal is high in phosphorus, which promotes strong root development and helps increase fruit production. Mixing it into the planting hole or soil at planting time is particularly beneficial.
5. Fish Emulsion: Fish emulsion or meal is a quick-acting fertilizer that can boost plant growth and productivity. It improves soil health over time and is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients.
   
   

How Deep to Plant Tomatoes in Containers

You're ready to start planting with suitable, amended soil in place. Transplants get you off to a quick start, but it's essential to plant them properly.

That starts with planting them deeply—you should plant them with two-thirds of the stem buried. You can remove some leaves so that most of the plant is buried. This encourages root growth along the stem.

After planting, water your tomato plant deeply to help settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

Add a Trellis to Your Planter for Tomatoes

Finally, add your trellis or tomato cage system to support your growing tomato plant. Adding it when you plant avoids disrupting the root system, which can happen if you add it later.

A traditional tomato cage or stakes will suffice for determinate types. Choose a cage about 15 to 20 inches high and ten inches wide. Select a cage at least 38 inches high and 14 inches wide for larger breeds.

The last step is adding a thick layer of mulch to help preserve moisture and cool the soil.

Watering Your Container Tomatoes

Even if you don't water every day, you should check your containers daily. Unlike garden beds, containers have a limited amount of soil volume, limiting the water available to plants.

Weather conditions generally affect watering frequency. During cooler months, you may only have to water every few days, but in hot summer months with dry winds, you might have to water twice daily.

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, aiming for deep, infrequent waterings that encourage strong root growth. When you water, focus on watering around the base of the plant to avoid wetting the plant's leaves, which helps prevent diseases.

Water the plant until you see the excess coming out of the drain holes.

Fertilizing Tomatoes in Containers

Even with amendments added during planting, you must establish a steady fertilizing regimen. You should begin that regimen four to six weeks after planting.

A balanced fertilizer uses a 1-1-1 nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium ratio. For example, a 7-7-7 or 10-10-10 fertilizer mix will work well with tomatoes. A balanced approach is a good way to keep things simple during the initial growth.

However, tomato plants require phosphorous to encourage more fruit production. Once flowering begins, you might consider using a fertilizer with an 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 ratio.

Regarding frequency, you can apply the fertilizer every four to six weeks.

The Best Solution for Growing Tomatoes in Containers

You've seen the steps required to grow tomatoes in containers. However, you can simplify the process in one fell swoop with the EarthBox tomato growing kit. It includes everything you need to grow tomatoes successfully.

The growing system includes:

• Tomato planter
• Staking/trellis system
• Casters/wheels
• 7-7-7 fertilizer
• Dolomite
• Tomato & Veggie Boost
• Mulch covers
• Organic potting mix

All you must do is add your tomato plants and water. The gardening system produces twice as much food as regular gardens using less water, fertilizer, and effort from you.

The results speak for themself with proven performance in labs, farms, and thousands of consumers.