Growing tomatoes in pots is not only a great alternative for those who don’t have a traditional garden, it also is one of the easiest and most productive ways to get a plentiful harvest of tomatoes every year. In fact, more and more gardeners are trying their hand at growing tomatoes in containers – and you might be surprised just how easy it is to do!
Whether you prefer bite-size cherry tomatoes for your salad, tomatoes to make salsa, or a meaty, juicy slicing variety for sandwiches, growing tomatoes in containers can provide you with ripe fruit all summer long.
Not only can you grow and enjoy several different tomato varieties, there are also a long list of advantages over traditional gardening when it comes to maintaining and harvesting your crop.
Advantages Of Growing Tomatoes In Pots
One of the biggest advantages of all when growing in pots is the ability to have fresh, fertile soil. By putting in new potting soil, your plants have plenty of power to grow strong. However, it also reduces the chance of blossom end rot and tomato blight from damaging the plants.
Blossom end rot is most often caused by a calcium deficiency in the soil. And tomato blight is a disease that can infect the soil and your plants for several years. But by using new, nutrient-rich soil each year, both have little chance of ever becoming an issue.
Unwanted pests and pest damage are also minimized when growing tomatoes in a confined container. Since the plants and foliage are well above the ground, it becomes harder for ground dwelling insects to climb up plants.
Even better, the raised level makes it easier for the gardener to maintain the plant throughout the growing season. Watering, fertilizing, pruning and harvesting is much easier on your back when the plants aren’t growing in the ground.
But perhaps more than anything else, growing in pots eliminates one of the most dreadful chores of all , weeding! Because the plants aren’t growing at ground level weeds rarely appear. And if they do blow in, with one simple tug they are quick and easy remove.
The Best Tomatoes For Growing In Pots
Technically, any tomato plant can be grown in a container. However many large, indeterminate varieties can quickly outgrow their pot and need constant maintenance to be able to produce fruit all summer long.
Therefore, when planting tomatoes in pots or containers, it’s best to use compact, bush-like tomato varieties. Most of these types of tomato plants are determinate varieties.
A determinate variety tomato plant will produce all of its fruit earlier and within a time period of several weeks as compared to the larger, sprawling indeterminate varieties which can last until the first fall frost. (See Our Related Article: Determinate Vs Indeterminate Tomatoes – How To Know What To Grow!)
However, there are an increasing number of plants, both determinate and indeterminate, that thrive when growing in a container. These varieties, with proper planting and care, will flourish and provide you with a plentiful harvest. With growing a big harvest in pots in mind – here is a look at 5 great choices for container growing!
San Marzano Paste Tomatoes – The Best Tomatoes For Growing In Pots
Paste tomatoes perform extremely well both in the ground and in pots. However, there are a few different varieties of paste tomatoes that are ideal to grow in containers due to their compact size. They are the tomato variety of choice for making salsas and sauces.
But if you want to harvest all summer long, the best paste tomato variety to plant is San Marzano. The plant develops heavy clusters of mid-size, oval shape fruit. They are thick and meaty and have a small seed core compared to typical mid-sized tomatoes.
Their root structure will stay compact making them ideal to grow in pots. Not to mention that their vines are easy to attach to a trellis. Affiliate Seed Link: San Marzano Seeds
Bush Early Girl – The Best Tomatoes For Growing In Pots
A true bush-type plant, Bush Early Girl is perfect for large patio pots. This variety stays amazingly compact yet produces more tomatoes than many other compact varieties.
The determinate plant forms strong vines perfect for containers. At a mature height of 18 inches tall this plant can easily be supported so that it can withstand the abundance of mid-size slicing tomatoes. Affiliate Seed Link: Bush Early Girl Tomato Seeds
Bush Beefsteak – The Best Tomatoes For Growing In Pots
Although most Beefsteak tomatoes are indeterminate and can grow well over 6 feet in height, there is a variety that is perfect to grow in pots.
Bush Beefsteak is a determinate variety that only grows to about 3 feet in height making it the perfect size for containers and patios. However, it will still produce large, juicy beefsteak tomatoes. If you are looking for a classic slicing tomato for your hamburgers and sandwiches, this is a great option.
Celebrity – The Best Tomatoes For Growing In Pots
Another determinate variety that produces medium-sized, flavorful tomatoes. In addition, celebrity tomatoes are resistant to a number of diseases, making them a good choice for beginner gardeners.
Celebrity tomato plants grow 3-4 foot tall and produces clusters of medium to large red fruit. It is another classic slicing tomato that produces well.
Black Cherry Tomatoes – The Best Tomatoes For Growing In Pots
The gold standard variety when it comes to growing cherry tomatoes in pots is Black Cherry Tomatoes. Although it is an indeterminate variety that will produce all summer long, it is fairly compact in size when compared to other cherry tomato plants.
In addition, with a little pruning, this plant is easily manageable even when grown in a container. Best of all, the ripe fruit is one of the most flavorful tomatoes on the market.
At the peak of their maturity, black cherry tomatoes produce large clusters of one-inch round tomatoes that are low in acid and have a slightly sweet and smoky flavor.
A Few Things To Consider When Growing Tomatoes In Pots
No matter which variety that you choose, when it comes to planting tomatoes in a container it is vital that you choose a pot large enough so that it remains healthy and produces well. The ideal size is a pot that has a 18-inch diameter for determinate tomatoes and 24-inch diameter for indeterminate tomatoes. However, you can always use a bigger pot if you have one available.
Then when it comes to planting tomatoes in pots, be sure to add enough nutrients to the soil for them to get a jump-start. This can be done with a standard potting mix that has fertilizers included in the mix, or by adding worm castings and compost in the planting hole. (Affiliate Link: Pure Organic Earthworm Castings).
Once you have the tomatoes in the container, be sure to place them in an area that receives six to eight hours of sunlight a day. Then as they grow support the plants with stakes or cages to ensure proper fruiting.
Finally, be sure to monitor the amount of water that the plant receives. Containers dry out more quickly than plants in the ground so it is important that they receive 1-2 inches of water every week.
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