Container Grown Tomatoes - Pros and Cons

Growing tomatoes in containers is a great solution to many problems. Many parts of the country get either too hot or too cold to grow tomatoes, and by putting them in a container you can isolate the plants from the harsher weather conditions. You can also put containers in places not normally suited for growing tomatoes. The patio of an apartment building can be a great place for container grown plants assuming it gets close to 8 hours a day of sunlight. It's also a great way to get tomatoes right outside the back door, even on the deck or patio.

Things to watch for when growing tomatoes in containers include:

The right container: A popular choice is a simple pot. It's best to have a diameter of 12 inches or more, depending on the variety chosen. Good drainage is a must, so check for drainage holes in the bottom or you may have problems with root rot. Another common choice is half whiskey barrels or bushel baskets. One very effective commercial choice is the Earth Box planter, which includes a self watering system that is very effective.

Container tomato varieties: Many varieties of tomatoes can grow in a container, but make sure that the variety that you choose fits into the container you've chosen. Choose smaller tomatoes varieties like Sweet 100's or cherry tomatoes for hotter climates since smaller tomatoes will set fruit at higher temperatures. But be careful as these are indeterminate varieties, which means they just keep growing.

Getting Started: The preferred way to get plants for your container is to get them from the nursery already started. You can start your own, but don't try it directly from seeds but use peat pots or peat pellets instead. Alternatively you can use a small plastic greenhouse.

Your container soil mix: One advantage to a container is that you can create the soil mix to improve your yields. Lots of organic matter improves nay soil mix as it improves the drainage and fertilizer retention. A soil mix of one part each of potting soil, perlite, sphagnum peat moss and compost usually works well. Tomatoes usually require some type of fertilizer, and they like a slightly different ratio so be sure to use a tomato fertilizer.

Adding soil to the container Start by filling the container most of the way with soil mix. Cover the plant root ball up to the first set of true leaves. Water the mixture and add more soil mix filling it to the top of the container.

Make sure your tomatoes get adequate water, adding water at least weekly. Give them the proper support by staking them or using cages if necessary, and since add fertilizer periodically. To extend the growing season you can try putting them in the garage for that first freeze, maybe you can squeeze an extra week out of the growing season. This is where the Earth Box shines, as it has a self watering system, an optional staking system, and casters to roll it about.

Container grown tomatoes are not as difficult to grow as you might suspect. Try it and reward yourself with truly fresh taste and your own little island of nature.

Learn more about the container growing solutions like the Earth Box planter or hanging tomato planters at howtogarden.com We have a variety of gardening articles and gadget reviews for your gardening hobby.