Container Gardening Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Pots
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By :
Angela Barrington-Hillier
Submitted
2012-02-06 09:39:23 |
Container Gardening Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Pots
Container gardening has become a popular pastime for many would-be gardeners who have limited room for a garden.
Apartment, condo and townhouse dwellers can satisfy the urge to try vegetable gardening by placing containers on their porches, patios and rooftops.
One of the best vegetables to start with is the tomato.
Containers
The variety of tomatoes you plan to grow will determine the size of the container. Full-size tomatoes have deep roots and will require a container that is at least 14 inches deep. If you plan to grow the smaller variety such as cherry tomatoes your container can be 6 to 8 inches deep.
Tomato plants grow tall and will require poles for support.
Loosely tie them to the poles with hemp twine.
Containers can be purchased especially for growing plants or they can be made of any container you wish to use.
Just make sure that it will hold water well and has holes in the bottom for drainage. It is easy to match the colors and style of the containers to the décor of the patio or porch.
Don’t overcrowd your tomato plants by placing other plants in the same container with them. The best ratio of plant to container is 1 plant in a 4 to 5 gallon container.
Soil
Soil taken from the yard is not the best soil for growing tomatoes. The soil may be infested with disease or insects. A good quality potting or gardening soil with fertilizer is the best soil to use for your new tomato plants.
Choose the best soil for your budget and you will be rewarded with a good crop of tomatoes.
Sunlight and Temperature
Tomatoes need full sunlight for at least 6 hours per day. If they are grown outside on a porch or patio make sure they are placed in the sunniest spot.
They also need warm temperatures so wait until the threat of frost is gone in your area before putting them outside.
Water
Tomato plants require lots of water. The best way to determine if they have enough water is to keep the soil moist at all times. A little water every day is better than drowning them twice per week.
A wilting tomato plant is in trouble because the soil has dried out. If the plant is dried out place the container in water for an hour or two. Putting mulch around the bottom of the plant will help it retain water longer since the plants tend to dry out quicker when grown in containers.
Not only are tomato plants always thirsty but they are always hungry as well. Fertilize the tomato plants every other week to keep them healthy. Compost tea or manure tea are the best fertilizers to use for abundant growth of your tomato plants.
The plants and soil should be discarded after the harvest. This ensures that there are no pests or disease that may have developed in the soil. Every year start with fresh potting soil for the best results.
In Conclusion
You will enjoy watching your tomatoes mature, but the greatest pleasure of all will be when you take the first bite of a tomato that you’ve grown yourself. Home-grown tomatoes have the flavor and texture missing in the tomatoes bought in a grocery store.
You will be pleased and proud of the quality of your crop and the money saved in growing your own container gardening success.
Container Gardening Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Pots by Angela Barrington Hillier
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