Want to use backyard-grown tomatoes in your recipes? We show you how to grow healthy plants in containers:
Nothing reminds me of summer as much as it tastes good homemade tomatoes! Easy to grow, tomatoes produce tons of fruit, making them the perfect plant for beginners.
But what if you’re short on space or don’t want to engage in raised beds? Can you still grow tomatoes? The answer is yes!
Read on to learn how to grow tomatoes in pots:
Tomato Growing Tips For Beginners
Tomatoes are great candidates for pot gardening. However, you need to choose the right type. Let’s start with the basics.
They exist two types of tomatoes that you can grow: undetermined And determined. Indeterminate tomatoes are the most common type of tomato plant.
On the vine they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season until the first frosts. From which indeterminate varieties can grow 0.9m to 1.5m tall or more and require poles, cages or trellises to grow vertically. They also require pruning.
Already determined tomatoes they are the best choice for cookware. They are compact and thick and stop growing earlier than vine tomatoes.
They produce a certain amount of fruit that ripens over a period of four to six weeks, which is ideal for canning. Some varieties only grow 0,6 m 0,9 m high and do not require cutting or pruning. Here are some of the best potted tomatoes:
courtyard tomatoes: Perfect for patios.
Bush’s first girl: Good for slicing.
Tiny Tim and Little Bing: Dwarf cherry tomatoes that are good for snacks.
There are many other types available, just look for plants or seeds labeled “patio”, “compact”, “dwarf” or “shrub” to make sure you choose a particular type that looks good in a pot.
The choice of pots for tomatoes
There are many types of containers you can use to grow tomatoes indoors. A popular choice is a 5 gallon bucket with holes at the bottom. Wooden or metal pots are another good alternative because they are wider and the tomato roots need a lot of space to spread out.
You can also try planting tomatoes hay bales. At the end of the season, throw the used straw into the compost pile. The simplest option, however, is to grow tomatoes in pots.
Choose pots with a minimum diameter between 30 and 25 cm – the bigger they are, the better. Each tomato plant needs at least 30cm to grow and produce fruit. Any smaller pot will dry quickly.
You will have to water the plants more often, causing the leaching of nutrients and minerals from the soil. This will leave your tomatoes without the food they need to grow.
Even choosing small containers for growing tomatoes can lead to inconsistent humidity levels. Improper humidity control can cause flower tip rot, fruit cracking and reduced yields.
How to plant tomatoes in a pot
Now that you’ve chosen your tomato variety and the right pot, that’s it time to cultivate!
There are two ways to plant tomatoes. The first method is to grow tomatoes seeds. Introduce seeds indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the end of the frost date. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, separate the stronger ones to plant them in containers for the rest of the summer.
If you are looking for an easier and faster way to grow tomatoes, the second method is buy plants in the store. choose tomatoes compact and green with leaves free of spots or discoloration.
Whether you have started your own seedlings or purchased transplants, planting tomatoes in pots and caring for them is the same. All you need to plant your tomatoes is a good sized container with drainage holes, potting soil, tomato or vegetable fertilizer and your plants.
Fill a pot with potting soil, leaving 5cm of space between the top of the pot and the potting line. The best potting soil for tomatoes in pots is one designed specifically for containers. Using good potting soil will make sure your tomatoes keep theirs adequate humidity levels.
Remove the tomato plant from the container and gently untangle the root ball to give the roots a head start and prevent them from getting stuck in the pot. A good tip for planting anything, both vegetables and flowers, is to water the plants well before transplanting. This makes the transition easier and starts them right in their new home.
Make a hole for the tomato e make sure all the roots are in the ground. Fill with potting mix, adding more as needed. Tap the ground to remove any large air pockets, but don’t compact it too tightly.
Fertilize potted tomato plants
Fertilizing tomatoes is very important for growing healthy and productive plants in pots. Since it is necessary to water the pots more often than the beds, nutrients are expelled from the soil more quickly. Therefore, apply to fertilizer with scheduled release planting your tomatoes for a boost.
After two weeks, start using a high-phosphorus water-soluble fertilizer weekly. Mix the fertilizer in the first few inches of soil and water well.
How to water tomato plants
Place the tomatoes in full sun and water daily or more often as needed. Plants need a lot of water to produce juicy fruits.
Stick your finger into the first two inches of soil to check if the plants are dry and need a drink. A good trick to prevent potted tomatoes from drying out is to use mulch or straw to retain moisture. Whether you have a large yard or just a balcony, you can grow delicious tomatoes all summer long!
* Through gardening know-how
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
