How To Grow Tomatoes In Pots – A Step By Step Guide

This post will teach you just how easy it is to grow tomatoes in pots. One of my favorite parts of homesteading is getting my hands dirty and the ability to grow enough food for my entire family. To take a seed from a little paper packet, plant it in some ground, and a few months later I have a bountiful harvest is something I look forward to every year.

Unfortunately, the last few years have not been good for my garden and this year I am forced to do something drastic.

My soil has become invaded with just about every garden pest in our area. And to add insult to injury we also got hit with some pretty nasty diseases as well. I have tried to fix things on my own but I realize now it is going to take a bit longer than just one offseason to fix things.

 

This year instead of planting in my garden out in our back yard I am moving things on up to the house. Yep, this year I am going to have a patio garden and I am pretty excited to see how it goes.

I have always grown a few things on my patio. Flowers, herbs, and every now a then maybe even a planter of lettuce. My full garden is quite a way from the house so it is always nice to have a few things close by for meals.

This year, however, I am pulling out all the stops.

I plan to grow my entire garden up by the house using any container I can get my hands on. This will, in turn, allow my garden to sit vacant while also letting my chickens dig in the soil fertilizing it and eating any bugs or larvae as well. It was suggested to me by a local master gardener to let my garden sit dormant for 1-3 growing seasons (yep, you read that right) so I was desperate for a plan B. 

SLCG PRO TIP: When you let a garden sit dormant this means you are planting nothing in it all growing season. This gives any pests that have laid eggs in the soil no plants to feast on. By doing this for a few years you will kill off pests without having to rely heavily on chemicals to remove them. 

I spent the last several months researching all I can about growing vegetables in containers. I just assumed all plants were created equal and the methods I used to grow my Marigolds would work just as well with my peppers and tomatoes. Needless to say, what I found was just the opposite. There are different rules for different vegetables. And in this post, we are going to cover, tomatoes. 

How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots – A Few Things to Remember.

When growing your garden in containers there are really no rules, that is when it comes to the style of container. You can pretty much use anything you have as long as you follow a few guidelines.

1.  Make sure you have ample drainage. – This means you will need to have a way for any excess water to escape so it does not pool at the bottom of the container. This can rot the root system and damage the plant producing weak fruit. To fix this you can drill a few holes in the bottom or using a hammer and nail, simply “pound”  in a few instead.
2.  Make sure your plants have enough room to grow. – The key to strong and healthy plants is enough room for a sturdy root system. For tomatoes, you will want at least a 5-gallon container to ensure you have plenty of room for the roots to grow. 

Plenty of room and plenty of drainage are your first steps when you want to grow tomatoes in pots. As long as you have those two things right, you are well on your way to a summer full of BLT’s and homemade sauce!

 

 

How To Grow Tomatoes In Pots – Step by Step

Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers

When folks think of how to grow tomatoes in pots they immediately go to cherry tomatoes and rightfully so. This is the perfect plant to grow close to the house so you can grab a yummy snack all summer long.

Step #1  Pot size – Look for a container that will hold 5 gallons and is from 14-20 inches in diameter. This will allow your plant to develop a large and healthy root system. 

Step #2  Planting – Keep it to one plant per pot. Don’t be tempted to put more than one plant into a pot. Overcrowding can lead to poor air circulation which can lead to diseases such as early blight. Remember, you goal is enough room for the roots. Keep the roots happy and healthy and you will grow a happy and healthy supply of tomatoes. 

Step #3  Soil – When planting any variety of tomato, be sure to use good quality soil (allow for 1 inch of space from the pot rim) and compost mixture. As flowers start to appear, top dress with compost. This will keep the base of the plant covered and protected. As you water the nutrients from the newly added compost will slowly work it’s way down to the plant’s roots making absorption easier.

Growing Full-sized Tomatoes in Containers

Yes, it is possible to grow full-sized tomato plants in containers! How cool is that? Before we dive in deeper we need to go over a few terms. There are actually two types of tomato plants, Determinate and Indeterminate.

Determinate tomato plants reach a certain plant height and then stop growing. The majority of their fruit matures within a month or two and appears at the ends of the branches. These tomato plants need to be supported because of the weight of the tomatoes. You can do this with a simple tomato cage and are a favorite of canners since all the tomatoes tend to ripen at once.

Indeterminate tomato plants are vine-like plants. These types of tomato plants continue to grow and produce fruit all season long. It is not unusual to have indeterminate plants reaching 15 feet or even more so support of at least 5 feet is a must. For this reason, a larger tomato cage may be needed. The biggest advantage to these plants is you will get fruit all season long which is perfect for eating and enjoying. 

When choosing a plant for your pots it is best to stick with a bush-like Determinate plant.

 

Step#1  Pot size – This is important when growing tomatoes you need to make sure your plants have enough room to establish a sturdy root system. Choose a pot size that is at least 18-inches in diameter. A good choice is a 5 or 10-gallon bucket.

Step#2  Drainage – As mentioned above be sure to drill holes in your containers for ample drainage. This will prevent water to puddle and possibly damage or even rot the root system. 

Step#3  Location – Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun. You can group your plants together for easier care but do not let the plants touch. I like to use outdoor carts with wheels to make moving my plants much easier. 

Step#4  Location part 2 – Potted tomato plants require a steady amount of water so if possible locate your planters close to a water supply or at least close enough that a hose will reach. Remember, with containers, you will be watering much more frequently than an in-ground garden. Be sure to set things up so this daily chore is a bit easier to do. 

Step#5  Support – Add your support such as a tomato cage right away. Doing so later risks disturbing the root system and/or damaging the plant. As the plant grows you will want to guide branches through the cage so it is well supported as the fruit begins to form. 

Step#6  Planting – Be sure to dig a hole deep enough that it will cover ⅔ of the plant’s stem. This will help to encourage more root growth and result in a more sturdy plant. I tend to forget that the health of the plant is all about the roots. The more care you take now, the better your harvest will be later. 

Step#7  Mulch – Even though you are using pots it is still important to include a good layer of mulch. For this reason, you want to make sure you leave a good 1-2 inches of space below the rim of the pot. Using mulch will keep your soil moist longer so make sure to replace with fresh mulch as the mulch compresses during the growing season. Bark, straw, leaves, or shredded newspapers are all good options for mulch.

Read:  Why You Should Mulch Your Garden

Step#8  Soil – Make sure to use the best soil possible for the best plants. This is an important step so no scrimping here. Choose a light and fluffy potting soil that will not compact down. Please note when using a fluffy soil that it may rest down and you will want to add more soil later on. 

Step#9  Water – Adding enough water is the secret sauce to a healthy harvest. One of the drawbacks of growing your tomatoes in pots is you will need to water more often. Unfortunately, there is a fine line between enough water and too much. To be sure you are giving the right amount, I like to apply the high tech finger test. Simply stick your finger down into the soil and if the top 1 inch or so is dry, it’s time to give your plant a drink.

A good rule of thumb to follow when watering tomatoes in pots is to dive a good water weekly and light water every day. Of course, the amount and frequency of your water will all depend on the amount of sun your plants are getting. By checking the soil every time you water you will be better able to gauge just how much you need. 

Bottom line. Watering is the key to a healthy strong and abundant tomato plant. You want to keep the soil in your pots consistently moist – not wet, but damp. Get your FREE watering guide to ensure you are always giving the correct amount at the most crucial time.

Armed with this simple guide on how to grow tomatoes in pots, you too can have a delicious garden right outside your kitchen door.