How to grow tomatoes for the average, everyday person who isnt going to search out dehydrated fish-kelp-mountain-lava rock-fertilizer from the depths of a sacred ocean to fertilize them with. All you need is a tomato plant, a trowel and some compost.
When I first started growing tomatoes in a serious way I would obsess over every spot, blemish or discolouration on the leaves. What could it BE? Are my tomatoes DOOMED? I am DOOMED? WHY IS THIS SO HARD?
Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown by home gardeners. Theyre versatile, easy to grow, dont take up much space and are pretty forgiving.
So theyre nothing like growing luffah sponges – which everyone knows are the Mariah Carey of garden plants.
Tomato leaves are going to get spots, theyre going to get chewed on and theyre going to diseased by the end of the summer for the most part. Blame blight.
You can get all up in the science of growing tomatoes, but if you really just want to grow a couple of plants for your home garden you dont need to worry about it.
In general with tomatoes – if you plant it they will come. The tomatoes I mean. I dont say this as someone who doesnt care about the science.
I experiment with fertilizers, graft heirlooms onto hybrid rootstock to see the difference it makes in terms of production and disease resistance – I do all manner of obsessive things when it comes to my tomatoes.
Tomatoes are one of the most popular and versatile vegetables to grow at home. With their delicious taste nutritional value and versatility in cooking, it’s no wonder why gardeners dedicate a portion of their outdoor space for cultivating tomatoes.
When it comes to growing tomatoes, you essentially have two options – planting them in pots/containers or directly in garden beds. But which method leads to better results? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the key differences, pros and cons of pots vs in-ground planting for tomatoes
Overview of Growing Tomatoes in Pots
Container gardening has become increasingly popular in recent years. In addition to tomatoes, gardeners are growing all kinds of edibles and ornamentals in pots on patios, balconies, and other small spaces.
Here are some of the main benefits of planting tomatoes in pots:
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Portability – Pots can be easily moved to optimize sun exposure or protect plants from harsh weather. They can be shifted into dappled shade during hot spells.
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Soil Quality – Garden soil tends to be too heavy for containers. Pots allow you to provide an ideal, lightweight potting mix.
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Drainage – With the right potting soil, containers enable excellent drainage. Tomatoes need consistent moisture but soggy soil causes problems.
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Earlier Harvest – The soil in pots warms faster in spring, promoting quicker growth and fruit maturity.
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Height Control – Pots keep sprawling indeterminate varieties contained to a manageable size.
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Less Disease – Separating plants in containers prevents sharing of soil diseases. Blight spreads less easily.
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Overwintering – You can move potted tomatoes into a greenhouse or sunny window in cold climates.
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Aesthetics – Pots allow creativity in colors, shapes, arrangements and garden design integration.
Benefits of In-Ground Tomato Planting
While container gardening is trendy, planting directly in garden beds still offers some advantages for tomatoes:
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Root Growth – In-ground tomatoes develop extensive root systems with unlimited space to spread out and establish themselves. Robust roots mean they are less dependent on frequent watering.
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Higher Yields – The large root networks equate to greater access to water and nutrients, resulting in larger plants and heavier yields.
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Tall Varieties – Indeterminate heirlooms that can reach 10+ feet tall only realize their full towering height potential when planted in beds.
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Fertilizer – Tomatoes in amended garden soil have a constant nutrient source from compost and fertilizers mixed into the beds.
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Microclimate – The surrounding soil minimizes temperature fluctuations, keeping tomato roots happier.
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Mulching – Mulch placed around in-ground plants retains moisture and keeps soil evenly moist. This is harder to achieve with containers.
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Space Efficiency – Tomatoes make better use of square footage in beds versus pots which take up ground space.
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Cost Savings – Tomatoes grown directly in enriched garden soil require no money spent on mixes, containers or frequent fertilizing.
Other Key Considerations
Here are some other important factors when deciding between containers and in-ground planting:
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Variety – Compact determinate tomatoes suit containers better than giant indeterminate heirlooms.
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Available Space – If you only have room for a few plants on a balcony, containers are the only choice.
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Soil Quality – If your beds lack nutrients and organic matter, pots with potting mix have an advantage.
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Mobility Needs – Pots are essential if you want to easily move tomatoes around.
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Planting Time – In cooler climates, containers allow setting tomatoes out 4-6 weeks before last frost since they warm faster.
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Watering – Tomatoes in pots require more frequent irrigation and fertilizing compared to garden beds.
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Root Competition – Tomatoes in close garden beds compete for water/nutrients. Container plants have exclusive access to their finite root zone.
Best Practices for Pots and In-Ground
To maximize success with tomatoes in either pots or beds, some best practices include:
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Selecting varieties suited for your situation – compact determinate for containers, tall indeterminate for beds.
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Providing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
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Using stakes, cages or trellises for support, especially for indeterminate varieties.
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Watering 1-2 inches per week, avoiding overhead late day watering.
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Side dressing with organic nitrogen fertilizer when plants start flowering.
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Removing lower foliage and “suckers” for better airflow and less disease risk.
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Monitoring for pests like hornworms and treating organically when found.
Final Thoughts on Pots vs In-Ground
Both container and in-ground planting have their own pros and cons when it comes to growing tomatoes. Gardeners wanting maximum yields from a dedicated tomato garden bed should opt for direct soil planting. Those with limited space or needing portability can still get a bountiful harvest from tomatoes in pots.
With proper care in terms of sunlight, water, nutrients and variety selection, you can successfully grow tomatoes in either containers or the ground. The key is providing consistent care tailored to the method you choose. Focus on the option that best fits your unique gardening situation and space.
Growing Tomatoes in Pots
This is the easiest, most sure-fire way to get good tomatoes with little disease. Tomatoes LOVE to be planted in pots.
Youll get a faster harvest if you place those pots on the South side of your house, right up next the brick or stone foundation. The brick and stone holds the heat and releases it – right beside your tomato plants.
In cold climates this gives them a BIG jump start in growth.
- For determinate tomatoes use a pot that is 18″ across.
- For indeterminate tomatoes use a pot that is 24″ across.
- Fill the pot with new potting soil.
- Remove the 2 lowest leaves on the plant.
- Plant the tomato so its very deep with the soil coming up to the (new) first leaf.
- Water well.
You can reuse the same pot and same soil every year, just make sure you add 3″ of compost on top of the soil every spring. A slow release fertilizer helps too if you want to get fancy.
Growing in the Ground
Plant and fertilize the same as you would if you were growing in a pot.
- Add 3″ of compost on top of the garden soil.
- Remove the lower 2 leaves from the tomato plant.
- Dig a deep hole and plant the tomato so the soil line comes up to to its new first leaf.
- Water well. Watering after planting is one of the most important steps.
- Support the tomato with stakes, cages or by using my #1 TOMATO TIP a string trellis. Cages are the best supports for hybrid tomatoes – a string trellis is the best for heirlooms.
- As the tomato grows, remove any leaves that are below the first set of flowers. (more on why later).
TIP: Tomatoes can grow roots off of their entire stem as long as that stem is under soil. The more roots a plant has, the more nutrients and water from the soil it can access. So planting deeper is always better with a tomato.
Some people even remove almost all the leaves below the tip and lay their tomato down horizontally to plant with just the very top sticking out of the soil. This way theyre placing almost the entire stem below the soil. This idea is this results in a HUGE root system and more fruit.
Just to refresh your memory there are 2 types of tomatoes: determinate and indeterminate.
These tomatoes are usually (but not always) hybrid tomatoes. They are called determinate because their height is predetermined. They wont exceed their predetermined height which is usually around 5.
These plants tend to produce more fruit all at once.
These tomatoes are usually (but not always) heirloom tomatoes. They are called indeterminate because their height isnt determined by their genetics. They will continue to grow taller until the plant dies. Theyre often 8-10 by the end of summer.
These plants tend to produce less fruit over a longer period.
This is a SINGLE heirloom tomato plant left to grow on its own unchecked:
7 Best Tomatoes to Grow in Containers
FAQ
How deep do containers need to be for tomatoes?
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Minimum Size:A 5-gallon container (roughly 12 inches wide and deep) is a good starting point for a single determinate tomato plant.
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Larger Varieties:For indeterminate or larger tomato varieties, opt for containers that hold at least 10 gallons or more.
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Depth vs. Width:While depth is important, tomato roots tend to spread horizontally, so container width is also crucial.
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Drainage:Ensure containers have adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Material:Plastic, fiberglass, ceramic, terra cotta, wood, metal, or stone containers can all be used, but terra cotta pots may dry out faster and black plastic or metal pots can absorb too much heat.
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Support:Provide adequate support for tomato plants, especially larger varieties, with stakes or cages.
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Planting Depth:When planting, cover at least two-thirds of the tomato stem with soil to encourage more root growth.
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Soil:Use a well-draining potting mix, as tomatoes prefer acidic conditions with a pH of 5 to 6.
Is it better to grow tomatoes in pots or raised beds?
The soil in raised beds warms up faster than underground soil, which helps tomatoes grow better. Your raised beds only need to be 12″ deep for tomato plants. My beds are 22″ deep but only have about 16″ – 18″ of soil in them. Of course, you can also grow tomatoes directly in your garden or in large pots.
Can tomatoes survive in pots?
Container-Ready Varieties
You can grow most tomato varieties in pots, but choosing those that have been bred for containers will make it easier for you to manage them. As you consider the options, take note of whether each variety is a determinate or indeterminate type.
What is the best container to grow tomatoes in?
The most practical solution for growing tomatoes is good, old plastic. It’s practical and inexpensive compared to other planters.