How To Grow Tomatoes in Containers

 

Without been told growing tomatoes in containers are one of the easiest ways to grow fresh vegetables at home, even with limited space. The following are the simple step-by-step guide:

Choosing the Right Container for Planting

·  Use a container that is at least twelve to eighteen inches deep and wide

·  Containers that are big hold moisture better and help roots grow

·  Also make sure the container has drainage holes at the bottom

The nest options:

·  You can use buckets

·  You can use grow bags

·  You can plastic pots

·  You can use paint buckets with holes drilled in the bottom

Choosing the Best Tomato Variety to Plant

For containers planting, compact varieties work best which are:

·  Cherry tomatoes varieties

·  Roma tomatoes varieties

·  Dwarf or patio tomatoes varieties

Examples are:

·  Tiny Tim

·  Celebrity

·  Patio Princess

Use the Best Quality Potting Mix

Make sure you don’t use normal garden soil alone.

You can use:

·  A good potting mix

·  Compost

·  Coconut coir or peat moss for moisture retention

A good mix must drain well but still hold moisture.

Planting the Tomatoes

1.    You need to fill the container with soil

2.    You have to remove lower leaves from the seedling

3.    Plant the tomato deeply — bury part of the stem

4.    Make sure you water thoroughly after planting

Tomatoes actually grow roots along buried stems, making stronger plants.

Give the Tomato Plenty of Sunlight

Tomatoes need:

·  Six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily

You can place the containers:

·  On balconies

·  Rooftops

·  Near sunny walls

·  In open yards

Water the Plant Properly

Container tomato plants dry out fast.

·  Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry

·  In hot weather, you may need to actually water the plant daily

·  Avoid soaking the tomato plant leaves too much

Uneven watering can easily cause the fruit cracking or blossom end rot.

Add Support to the Tomato Plant

Most tomatoes actually need support:

·  Tomato cages

·  Stakes

·  Trellis

Tie the tomato stems gently as the plant grows.

Fertilize the Plant Regularly

Tomato plants  are heavy feeders.

You can use:

·  Compost tea

·  Liquid fertilizer

·  Tomato fertilizer every one to two weeks

Too much nitrogen can actually give lots of leaves but fewer fruits.

Tomatoes Problems

Some common issues:

·  Yellow leaves → cause by overwatering or nutrient deficiency

·  Wilting → cause by under- watering or heat stress

·  Black spot on bottom of fruit → mainly calcium/water issue

Make sure you remove damaged leaves quickly.

Harvesting Tomatoes

Tomatoes are actually ready for harvest when:

·  It is fully colored

·  It is slightly soft

·  It is easy to twist off the vine

Make sure you pick regularly to encourage more fruit production.