Tomatoes in containers

When it comes to backyard horticulture, tomatoes are a classic favorite, with their ease of cultivation, high productive capacity, and delicious flavors. Tomatoes can be grown in almost any situation, as long as they are provided with enough sunlight and water. Although many small-space gardeners may believe that they simply don't have the room for these edible superstars, there are many ways tomatoes can be incorporated into small gardens and even apartment container gardens with ease. If you're a green thumb who is a bit short on space, here's what you need to know about growing tomatoes in pots:

Sunlight
Your tomatoes will need between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day; the more sun these plants get, the better they will perform (read: you'll get more tomatoes off your plant!). If you're growing your tomatoes indoors, ensure that they are situated next to the brightest window your space has to offer.

The Right Container
Containers for tomatoes can really be of any type, as long as they have adequate drainage holes and are large enough to accommodate your tomato plant. On average, tomatoes need a pot that is at least 15 inches deep so that their root systems have enough space to grow.

Soil
If you are growing your tomatoes in those handy hanging planters, or in a small pot, regular potting soil will do well. However, if you are growing your tomato in a larger pot, you may find it helpful to amend soil with lighter-weight growing additions such as perlite, vermiculite, or peat moss.

Plant Choices
Dwarf varieties are the all-stars of container tomato gardening, and are especially forgiving if you're a first-time container-tomato grower. Varieties 'Tiny Tim' and 'Orange Hat' are both wonderful dwarfs (check out the Dwarf Tomato Project for more cultivars). They need little support, and will even thrive if left to droop over the sides of their pots. ​It is also possible for container gardeners to grow full-size tomato varieties, though these will need a good deal of staking and training during the growing season.

Now that you've got an idea of what tomato varieties to choose and how to plant them, here's what you should know about caring for your plants in this situation:

Planting
Choose a healthy, robust transplant or seedling to bring home. Alternatively, you can grow your own tomato from seed. We won't get into that entire process today, but you can check out our Tomato page for more information. Remove the lower 2/3 of leaves from the tomato plant and place your starter in the soil with the lower 2/3 buried. This will give your tomato a head-start and ensure that it develops the strongest root system possible.

Watering
Tomatoes need to have soil that is kept consistently moist. Fluctuations in soil moisture can cause issues like fruit splitting, flower loss, and root damage. Soil in pots also has a tendency to become hydrophobic when it dries out completely, and will need some work before it can support plant growth again. It is best to not ever let your tomato pot dry out completely. In the heat of summer, especially when grown in pots, tomatoes will need water on a daily basis.

Fertilizing
Tomatoes grown in the ground do not always need fertilizing, but those grown in containers do greatly benefit from regular feedings through the growing season. Apply a balanced, water-soluble feeding at half strength once every two weeks or so. Tomato plants prefer small, frequent fertilizations over infrequent, heavy feedings.

Pollination
Tomato plants need to be pollinated in order to produce fruits. Giving tomato plants a little shake in the middle of the day can help this process along, and inviting pollinators like insects and animals into the garden can help the process as well. Tomato plants can be hand-pollinated if necessary to increase fruit production.

Pest and Disease Management in Tomato Plants
Whether grown in pots or in the ground, tomato plants do have their fair share of pests and diseases. Some of the more common culprits include Aphids, Hornworms, Whiteflies, Wireworms, Verticillium Wilt, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Damping Off, and Powdery Mildew. For more information about common Tomato pests and diseases, including how to eradicate them, consult the Tomato page.

Tomatoes are fantastic edible additions to any garden, producing nutritious fruits and providing beauty and interest to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Whether you have a large backyard space or a tiny patio with just one pot, you too can grow your own.

Until Next Time, 
- Kristi