We have all dreamed of that perfect summer sandwich piled high with thick slices of home grown tomatoes. But let us be real: not everyone has a massive backyard or the energy to rototill a giant garden plot. If you are working with a small patio, a sunny balcony, or just want to avoid the back breaking work of traditional gardening, container planting is your ticket to tomato heaven.
The trouble is that many weekend warriors just grab a pot and hope for the best, only to end up with yellow leaves and no fruit. You do not need to be a pro to get a heavy harvest, but you do need to follow a few simple rules. Here is how we get those terrific tomatoes without the garden sized stress.
- Give Them Room To Breathe
The number one mistake I see at the garden center is people picking pots that are way too small. A tomato plant is a hungry, thirsty beast with a massive root system. If you cram it into a tiny decorative planter, it will dry out in an hour and stop producing.
Materials:
- A 5 gallon bucket or a pot at least 12 inches deep
- Power drill
- Organic potting mix
Steps:
- Choose a container that holds at least 5 gallons of soil.
- If using a hardware store bucket, drill several 1/2 inch holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Fill the pot with high quality potting soil, not heavy garden dirt which will compact and suffocate the roots.
- Pro Tip: Leave about 2 inches of space at the top of the pot so water does not spill over when you are giving them a soak.
- Soak Them Low And Slow
Tomatoes are mostly water, so keeping the soil moisture consistent is the secret to preventing cracked fruit. In the heat of July, a container can dry out fast. If you let the soil get bone dry and then flood it, you will end up with blossom end rot, which is that nasty black spot on the bottom of your tomatoes.
Materials:
- Watering can or garden hose
- Mulch or straw
Steps:
- Water your plants at the base, not on the leaves, to prevent fungus.
- Aim for a deep soak every morning before the sun gets too hot.
- Add a 2 inch layer of straw or bark mulch on top of the soil to lock in moisture.
- Warning: Never water in the evening if you can help it, as wet leaves at night are a playground for diseases.
- Fuel The Growth With Food
A container only holds so much nutrition. Once the plant uses up what is in the potting mix, it needs a boost to keep those flowers turning into fruit. Think of it like a marathon runner; they need extra calories to cross the finish line.
Materials:
- Tomato specific fertilizer 5-10-10 or 4-18-38
- Measuring spoon
Steps:
- Wait until you see the first tiny yellow flowers before starting a heavy feeding schedule.
- Apply a liquid or granular tomato fertilizer every 2 weeks.
- Always follow the package directions exactly, because too much nitrogen will give you a giant green bush with zero tomatoes.
- Pick The Right Sunny Spot
Tomatoes are sun worshippers. They need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light to thrive. In a container, you have the advantage of moving your plant to follow the sun, which is something in ground gardeners can only dream of.
Materials:
- A sunny patio, deck, or driveway
- Rolling plant caddy
Steps:
- Find the sunniest spot in your yard that is away from the shade of large trees or your house.
- Place your pots on a rolling caddy so you can easily move them if your HOA has rules about where plants can be visible.
- Ensure the spot has good airflow to keep the leaves dry and healthy.