How to Grow Tomatoes in a Self Watering Pot

Growing tomatoes in a self watering pot is really easy. This is a great way to maintain even moisture and produce quality home grown tomatoes anywhere you have sun and space for a garden pot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Self watering garden pot
• tomato plant
• 40 qt. bag of potting soil
• water

1. 
   self watering garden pot

   Buy a self watering garden pot. There are several choices on the internet market with prices ranging from $30.00 to $70.00. Read the consumer reviews to help you decide which type you like best. Pay attention to how the planter will handle overflow during periods of heavy rain.

2. 
   self watering garden pot

   Assembly is really easy, only takes a few minutes. The sections snap together and it arrives with a fertilizer pack included. Subsequent years you can re-order the fertilizer pack or to save money just add your own.

3. 
   self watering garden pot

   Place the self watering pot in a sunny spot that has access to water. Tomatoes really drink a lot when the weather gets warm and like 6 hours or more of sun.

4. 
   filling with soil

   Fill the garden pot with one 40-quart bag of potting soil. The soil section has two pockets that go down into the water well. This will enable the roots to wick water as needed. The water well holds four gallons of water.

5. 
   keeping tomatoes indoors

   Purchase your tomato plants at your favorite garden center. Plan on one tomato per self watering pot for best results. Tomatoes need lots of space and have less disease if not crowded. Harden off the greenhouse raised tomatoes by placing them outside on warm days and bringing them in at night or when chilly. They can be planted outside a couple of weeks after your last frost date when nights are above 50 degrees.

6. 
   tipping out the tomato plant

   Carefully tip out the tomato plant. Place the surface soil level an inch below the potting soil in your planter. Gently break off any broken leaves from the bottom of the plant or leaves that will touch the soil level in your garden pot. This will help prevent soil borne wilt diseases from affecting your plants.

7. 
   watering the tomatoes

   Water the tomato plants. Fully saturate the soil in the planter. You will need to water from the top until the plant is fully established and the roots are growing down into the self watering pot.

8. 
   watering the garden pot

   Fill the water reservoir in the self watering pot. The wicking action will work best once the roots begin to expand into the soil.

9. 
   self watering garden pot

   Add a mulch. This self watering pot included a plastic mulch mat with slow release fertilizer attached. You can also use shredded paper, wood chips, or other mulches. Mulch will help retain soil moisture and keep weeds from sprouting in your garden pot.

10. 
    self watering garden pot

    Consider the optional tomato cage kit. The planter has built in stake holes to keep the tomato cage kit fully secured. Super easy! The tomato cage will also support protective mesh to keep the deer away. Happy growing!

Tips & Warnings

• Use fresh potting soil every year and do not compost tomato plants in the fall to prevent spread of wilt diseases.
• Grow companion plants in your tomato planter if desired, but remember all plants in the garden pot will compete for water and nutrients.
• Know your local growing conditions - your tomato plants may benefit from dappled shade during the hottest part of the day.
• Garden pots can be moved into shelter to protect from severe weather or a short term fall freeze.
• Call your county extension office to get advice from a local Master Gardener for tomato growing questions.
• Never spray systemic insecticides on vegetable plants as the chemicals can migrate into the fruits.

Resources

• tomato grow box from aGardenPatch.com
• tomato success kit from Gardeners.com
• How to Stop Blossom End Rot on Potted Tomato
• How to make roasted tomatoes in the oven
• How to make dairy free tomato soup
• How to make cucumber tomato salad

[ourlastchance]

on 8/19/2009 I have to try this. Great Idea! 5*

[edieness]

on 7/23/2009 Love this article on How to Grow Tomatoes in a Self Watering Pot.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 7/2/2009 This looks like a wonderful way to ensure plants consistently get enough water.

[rockymtngrma]

on 6/26/2009 Great idea! With this kind of pot, you can move the plant indoors before it frosts and have fresh tomatoes year round.

[momtchr]

on 6/26/2009 Great tips for growing tomatoes in a self-watering pot! 5*