How to Grow Tomatoes in a Container

Tomatoes are a very popular home garden plant. Many people think they don't have room for a tomato garden, or that their soil isn't proper for gardening. Whatever the reason, there is a way for anyone to grow those luscious ripe red tomatoes. Here's how to grow tomatoes in a container.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tomato plants or seeds
• Garden container
• Container soil
• Tomato cage or something to stake the tomato plants
• Drill for drilling holes in a plastic or clay container

1. Select an appropriate container for the type of tomato you're planting. Most tomato plants require a larger space and need a bigger container. Even the small cherry tomatoes grow on a large tomato plant and need large containers for maximum production. Use a pot bigger than twelve inches. The container must have proper drainage holes, so drill at least four holes in the container.

2. Fill the planter with specially marked container gardening soil with moisture retaining material. Regular garden soil isn't appropriate for container gardens because container gardens lose moisture more quickly.

3. Add fertilizers to the soil at least a week before you plant the tomatoes or sow the seeds. Use all-purpose vegetable fertilizer, fish emulsion or compost.

4. Choose to sow seeds or buy tomato plants. Buy seeds online and start tomatoes indoors for better results. Then transplant the tomatoes to larger containers when the chance of frost is gone. You can also buy tomato plants at a local greenhouse or home and garden store. Transplant any tomato plants as quickly as possible after you buy them.

5. Keep the tomatoes well watered during hotter months, but don't wet the tomato plant's foliage, as this can increase the chances of mold and spreading diseases from the soil to the leaves. Instead, just water the soil directly with the hose.

6. Stake the tomato plants up once they reach a height of a foot or more. Some tomatoes, however, may or may not need staking depending on what type of tomatoes they are. "Determinate" tomatoes are tomato plants that don't usually require any staking up. They grow to a certain height and then stop. "Indeterminate" tomato plants can continue to grow and require staking to prevent them from falling over.

7. Harvest tomatoes when they have matured. Most tomatoes are bright orange when they are ready to harvest. Check on the variety you've grown because some varieties of tomatoes are yellow, dark red and even green when they've matured. Grasp the tomato and give it a twist. The tomato should pop right off the stem with little effort if it is ripe.

Tips & Warnings

• Stake the tomato plants as soon as they reach a height of 8 inches to prevent later staking troubles.
• Fertilizers can burn the plants if you add too much at one time.

[momtchr]

on 6/9/2009 Great tips! Thanks! I am on my way out to get the things to start a little tomato container garden! This article goes in my favorites... 5*

[SunflowerOcity]

on 10/19/2007 Good Stuff! See also: http://www.ehow.com/how_2102695_grow-great-deep-root-tomatoes.html and http://www.ehow.com/how_2091307_build-small-hydroponics-tomato-grower.html and http://www.ehow.com/how_2070905_grow-easy-upside-down-tomatoes.html