How to Take Care of Patio Tomato Plants

Patio tomatoes produce 8 to 10 lbs. of fruit.

Tomatoes grow well in patio containers because they warm up quickly and avoid some of the diseases that plague tomatoes grown in a garden. Patio tomato plants produce as much as 8 to 10 lbs. of fruit and taste much better than watery grocery store produce. Choose determinate varieties suited to your area. Determinate tomatoes have smaller plants with more controlled growth, perfect for patio situations, and they don't require pruning.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 oz. diammonium phosphate
• Potting soil for vegetables
• Large pot (gallon size)
• Trowel
• Patio tomato plants
• Milk jug
• Hose
• Fertilizer stick made for tomatoes or vegetables
• Tomato cage or stake

Instructions

1. Plant your tomatoes 10 days after the last expected frost. Fill your pot with potting soil. Dig a hole about 4 inches deep with your trowel. Gently remove your tomato plant from its transplanting pot. Set the plant in the hole and fill the hole with soil. Pat soil down firmly with your hands.

2. Mix 1/2 oz. diammonium phosphate with one gallon water and water your tomatoes. This is a starting solution and will minimize transplant shock. Use 1/2 gallon of the solution for each tomato plant.

3. Cut the bottoms off clean gallon-size plastic milk jugs. Place the jugs over your tomatoes while nighttime temperatures still fall below 55 degrees. Remove the jugs during warm weather or when the plants get bigger. Tomatoes like warm temperatures between 55 and 90 degrees. Move your plants around on the patio if needed to a warmer or cooler spot. Make sure they receive at least four hours of sun per day.

4. Water your plants slowly and regularly. Too much water too fast can cause them to split. Containers tend to dry out quickly so check your patio tomatoes daily. Stick your finger in the soil. If it's dry 1 inch underneath the surface, you need to water. Water your patio tomatoes for five to 10 minutes with a slow, gentle sprinkler attachment.

5. Put two to three fertilizer sticks in the soil, midseason and again late season. Potted tomatoes tend to lose nutrients quickly through leaching.

6. Place a small tomato cage into the soil and over your tomatoes. This will keep the tomato plant upright and protect the vines from breaking. Or place a stake in the soil and tie the main branch of your tomato plant to the stake loosely. Cut 1/4-inch rings from an old pair of pantyhose to use as a soft, stretchy tie.

Tips & Warnings

• Transplant tomatoes on a mild, cloud-covered day to minimize transplant shock.

• Tomatoes lose blossoms for several reasons: nights below 55 degrees, daytime temperatures above 90 degrees, or infrequent watering. Move your patio tomatoes around if growing conditions don't agree with them.

References

• University of Idaho Extension Office: Growing Tomatoes

Resources

• Veggie Cages: Tomato Recipes