Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow in a small space. They thrive in environments with limited sunlight, not too much shade and good drainage. There are many types of tomato plants for containers. There are dwarf tomatoes, which are the smallest, fastest growing varieties; red tomatoes, a popular choice; and organic tomatoes, the variety grown in home gardens. In addition, there are several varieties that are disease resistant, so you will want to choose them as well. Here are a few examples:
Small, dwarf, or red – These are the smallest varieties that work well for container gardening. You will have to use a 5 gallon bucket to plant them because they can get out of control. Make sure you water them often, but keep away from getting the soil too wet. If they grow out of control, they will actually end up costing you more in pest control than they cost in food.
Bushsteak or Globe Tomatoes – These are much larger than the small ones and can be found in the biggest containers. They do require larger amounts of water than the smaller varieties, so use a bigger bucket. Bushsteaks like a lot of sun but can be shade loving if you don’t have a lot of sun to give them. Use a 5-gallon bucket to plant these.
Cherry Tomatoes – These are very pretty and should be found in large containers. Cherry tomatoes are disease resistant and extremely tasty. They are also available in a variety of colors. However, your best bet is to go with the big boys: the big reds, green, or purple tomatoes.
Sunlight – Tomatoes love lots of sunlight but the larger varieties can’t handle the heat. You can find many tomato plants in shaded areas that get their nutrients from the sun. Use a light household container to grow this one. Do not use a pot with drainage holes in it because it will not survive.
Shrubbery – Just as tomatoes love sunlight, so do all members of the tomato family. While they are in containers, prune them often to keep them small and tidy. Many gardeners prune their bushes for the aesthetic benefit. Bushsteak, on the other hand, prefer dense, rich soil that is well drained. Use a high quality potting soil with plenty of holes and it will do fine.
Water – Watering your container tomato plants is another no brainer. If you leave them standing in water, you will never get them to eat it. Make sure to water your plants often in your container so they don’t dry out and die. Make sure you water before you spray your plants too, because that is when the water evaporates and you don’t want your tomatoes rotting in your container. Use a watering can, or put the can on the grass or in your yard to water your tomatoes.
So, what is the best way to plant tomatoes in containers? Simply follow these steps. When you have established your plantings, add mulch and compost to give it more nutrients. Water regularly, but not excessively, and provide an adequate amount of nutrition. That’s about it.
These tomato plants for container gardening are great for people who are always on the go. Just imagine being able to grow your own tomatoes in containers. You could bring them inside if you wanted to, but you wouldn’t have any problem taking them out afterwards. They are simple to maintain and they are very forgiving. If you mess up, there’s no dirt to clean up. A simple watering can make all the difference in the world.
Tomatoes love lots of sun and they love it in the hot summer months. This is why container gardening has become so popular. The tomatoes love the heat and the sunlight are readily available. You can take plants from one side of the house to another if you wanted to without any real work.
One of the best things about tomato plants for container gardening is that they grow very fast. In a couple of years, you could have several plantings going. There really is no limit. Tomatoes love a variety of conditions and container gardening offers just that. Don’t spend your precious time in the greenhouse; get container gardening and enjoy tomatoes all year long!