Growing Container Tomatoes

One of my favorite homegrown vegetables is the tomato. Until you’ve tried really fresh tomatoes, you can’t imagine how much better they are than standard grocery-store fare, and a day of difference is huge when it comes to freshness and flavor.

The good news is that tomatoes are actually very easy to grow on your own! You don’t even need much outdoor space. You can grow tomatoes in pots or urns on a deck or porch, or even inside. You just need to be attentive and prepare well, and you can enjoy fresh, delicious tomatoes from your own plants!

First off, you want to be sure you have a big enough pot. To grow container garden tomatoes, you want at least a 3-gallon pot, and 5-gallon is safer. There are a few varieties you can grow in smaller pots, or even baskets, but 3-5 gallon pots give a good variety of options.

Make sure the pot has sufficient drainage. If your roots get too wet, they can rot, ruining your hard work. Make sure your pot will drain if you over-water it.

Choose a good potting mix. I like Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. Keep in mind that there is a difference between potting mix and potting soil: potting mix is much better for container vegetables. Read more about potting mix vs potting soil. Fill the pot with the potting mix, and wet it slightly.

It is best to start from seedlings when growing your tomatoes in containers. You can buy seedlings from a local nursery or farmstand, or you can order them online. Companies like Burpee and Gurneys will ship seedlings directly to you. Shopping at nurseries is usually cheaper, since you don’t have to pay for shipping. However, if you order online there is a much better variety available.

Carefully plant the seedling in your container and water well. Tomatoes like to spread out and up, so with container tomatoes, you should place a stake in the container or surround it with a cage, to keep weight off the vines and help them grow straight and tall.

Be sure to put the pots somewhere with a lot of light, and water regularly. It is a good idea to get a water-soluble fertilizer and use that as directed. Be careful: overfertilizing can be as bad for plants as under-fertilizing.

Depending on your variety, in around two months, you should be enjoying delicious container garden tomatoes! Good luck!