Today’s Garden Ideas

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Thanks to the myriad of choices in tomato plants it is quite easy growing tomatoes in pots. The best type of tomatoes for growing in pots is a bush-type tomato. Because of its compact form it fits very well in containers. These types of tomatoes also grow tall and may need staking. Cherry or grape tomatoes are another option as they too, grow in compact bushes.

Preparation & Planting

To begin growing tomatoes first chose a large pot. Check with your nursery to determine what type of pot is best for the tomatoes you have chosen. To begin be sure the pot is clean. If it has been used in the past give it a good cleaning with warm soapy water and rinse and dry thoroughly.

Line the bottom of your tomato pot with rock or gravel for proper drainage. Fill to within 2 inches of the tomato pot rim with good soil made for growing vegetables. Plant your tomato plant in the center of the tomato pot. Be sure to plant the tomato plant deeper that it grew in the original container. Be sure to pat down the soil firmly around the tomato plant.

When growing tomatoes in pots you may have to place a stake around your tomatoes to give them support. You can use a tomato cage or place stakes in the tomato pot after several weeks of growth. Be sure to use soft ties to attach the tomatoes to their support.

Plant Care

Growing tomatoes in pots requires constant care. You need to protect the seedlings from exposure to the harsh cold or hot sun. You can purchase hotcaps, which look like paper tents. These rest on the soil surface and stabilize temperature and provide shelter for your tomatoes.

Fertilizer is also required for growing tomatoes in pots. Visit your nursery and request fertilizer specifically for tomatoes. Tomato fertilizer comes in either liquid form or fertilizer sticks. Also be sure to keep your tomatoes well watered.

Plant Options

In the same tomato pot you might want to grow herbs as well. Sage is a perennial herb that tolerates heat and drought and is very aromatic. Sweet Marjoram has fuzzy plants that are best harvested before the plant flowers. Nasturtium, an annual, has very colorful blooms and will cascade down around the sides of your tomato pot. The flowers are edible and look lovely in summer salads. Italian parsley, an annual, has lush green foliage and fills out the tomato pot nicely. Basil, of course, goes very well with tomatoes because the herb blends so well with the taste of tomatoes.