How to Grow Tomato Plants in a Container Garden

Cherry and grape tomatoes are ideal for container plantings.

Not all gardeners have an unlimited amount of space for their gardens. Many have moved to growing vegetables in containers for the laborsaving convenience. Not every vegetable is suitable for growing in containers, but tomato plants thrive when their basic needs are met -- sunlight, water and nourishing soil.

Things You'll Need

• Peat pots
• Tomato seeds or seedlings
• 5-gallon buckets
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer
• Stakes or cages

Instructions

1. Start your tomato seeds in peat pots indoors six to eight weeks before you need transplants. Although just about any tomato will grow in a container if it is large enough, the smaller varieties are particularly suitable for container growing. If you prefer, buy seedlings from your local garden center in spring.

2. Drill several holes in the bottom of the buckets for drainage.

3. Fill the bucket almost to the top with a good quality potting soil.

4. When the seedlings have developed their leaves fully, it is time to transplant them into the permanent containers, which will be their homes for the rest of the growing season. Each plant should have its own bucket. Bury the tomato plant deeper in the potting soil that it was in the peat pot. Additional roots will develop along the buried portions of the stems.

5. Water each plant until it is soaked. Place the containers in a sunny location that gets regular daylong sun. Water the plants regularly, an important key to producing healthy tomatoes. Apply a fertilizer formulated for tomatoes as the plants grow.

6. Provide stakes or cages for vining tomato plants that need vertical support.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant basil or small marigolds around the outside edges of the tomato containers.

• Tomatoes need water and sun. Make sure they get enough of each.

References

• Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: Vegetable Gardening in Containers
• Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Growing Cucumbers, Peppers, Squash and Tomatoes in Containers

Resources

• YouGrowGirl: Tomatoes to Grow in Containers