Grow Tomatoes in Containers

I grew up in rural Indiana. One of my favorite memories was eating a warm, fresh from the vine, juicy ripe tomato. We ate tomato sandwiches (mayo, white bread, tomatoes....yum) and sliced tomatoes all summer long, and never knew how lucky we were.

When I grew up and bought my first so-called vine ripened tomato at a grocery store, I was stunned. The bland taste and mealy texture was nothing like my memory of how a tomato should taste. And canned tomatoes? To me, they taste like the metal can they are stored in.

Like most of us, I grew resigned to the quality of tomatoes that I could find at roadside stands, farmer's markets, and grocery stores. But I held in my memory that warm ripe tomato that spilled juice down my chin.

So I was really excited when I discovered container gardening. My childhood experience of a large half acre garden was pretty labor intensive, even if it did produce delectable tomatoes. Container gardening offers that same ripe, delicious tomato taste and almost none of the work. Of all the produce, "real" tomatoes are the most commonly sought after vegetable. (Yes, I know tomatoes are a fruit, but most people use them as a vegetable.)

Growing tomatoes in containers is pretty easy. One of the most common detriments to tomato plants is the soil quality. Using potting mix in containers eliminates fungus problems of natural soil. For best results, and superior drainage, don't rely on potting soil alone. Mix in some bark and peat moss to help the soil drain better.

Tomatoes need a lot of space, and space is the one thing many gardeners do not have. Apartment dwellers with only a balcony need to use their space wisely. You will need a container about the size of a plastic garbage can. In fact, you can cut down an old plastic garbage can and plant your tomato plant in that. If you want to grow smaller cherry tomatoes so you can add sun-ripened goodness to your summer salads, kebobs, and crudités, you will only need to use a container like a five gallon bucket for the smaller tomato plants.

Now, if you are a die hard gardener, you might want to buy tomato seeds and grow your own little plants indoors. If so, you want to start about six weeks before the usual last frost in your area. Tomato seeds, peat pots and a plastic greenhouse are essential components to growing your own plants. Once each seed is in its little peat pot, it must be covered (with the plastic greenhouse if you are using that) and placed in a warm location that gets sunlight. When the sprouts are about three inches tall, put them in larger peat pots, and keep them growing until they are sturdy enough to be planted in a container.

Personally, I go to a local greenhouse and purchase tomato plants ready to be transplanted. I am always worried that my very small children will knock over or damage my delicate sprouts.

Ask the person at the greenhouse which tomatoes are determinate and which are indeterminate. Determinate plants ripen their fruit all at once, which is great if you want to can, freeze, or otherwise preserve your tomatoes. Indeterminate plants ripen a few tomatoes at a time, throughout the season, which is what you want for continuous fresh eating.

Tomato plants need lots of sun whether they are in containers or in the ground. Find an area where the sun shines for the largest portion of the day and place your container there. Keep in mind that a tomato plant needs support as it grows. Using a stake to tie up your tomato plant will help the fruit to ripen better, and keep blemishes off the fruit as well. If you are growing tomatoes on your deck or balcony, you might be able to tie your tomato plant to the railing as it grows. My deck is in the shade, so I simply place a stake in my large container and tie the plant to the stake.

You will need to water your tomato plants frequently. A good rule is to water when the top three inches (approximately the length of your thumb) is dry. Water directly into the soil, and try to avoid wetting the plant, as this can cause blemishes. Once tiny little green tomatoes begin to appear, you will want to water the plant every other day. If the weather is extra hot, dry, and windy, you might need to water every day.

Tomato plants need fertilizer, too, especially when planted in a container. There are fertilizers out there specifically for tomatoes. Fertilize regularly per the directions.

Some day, I hope to have a big garden. Until then, my family and I can enjoy warm, juicy ripe tomatoes grown in a container all summer long. And now, so can you.