Tomatoes are one of the staple plants for any gardener to grow, whether you're a serious grower who produces fruits and vegetables on a large scale to sell or if you're just an average homeowner who enjoys having access to fresh produce.
Many fruits and vegetables require some space to grow, but tomatoes are one kind of produce that just about anyone can grow, even in you live in an apartment! It is very possible to grow a healthy supply of tomatoes in containers as long as you know what you are doing. Luckily it isn't a difficult thing to do, and these simple tips will have you on your way to growing an abundance of tomatoes this summer while saving space.
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One of the main keys to success for having healthy tomato plants is to establish a strong rooting system. This can be achieved with a few different steps. For starters, you will want to plant your tomato plants in a large container, as many varieties of tomatoes will grow to mammoth sizes when given the proper care. A minimum size planter for growing tomatoes in containers would be 5-10 gallons deep, but if you can go bigger it is always better to do so. You want the container to be large and deep so that the roots have space to spread and grow, allowing them to absorb more nutrients for the plant. You can buy large planters or terracotta pots to plant your tomatoes in, or you can use a large utility bucket if you want this project to stay on the cheaper side of things. If you decide to use a bucket please remember to add drainage holes to them!
You will want to fill your container with good quality garden soil and compost. You can also toss in some bone meal to help encourage root growth, and kelp meal to add some extra minerals and nutrients to the soil. Tomato plants require high levels of calcium in order to prevent certain diseases, such as blossom end rot, so it is best to use a compost blend that is rich in calcium. There are different kinds of compost on the market that are made from lobster shells, such as the Lambert Ocean Blend compost mix, that are high in calcium and are perfect to mix into your container. You can also crush up eggshells to mix in the soil to add an extra layer of calcium and protection to your plants.
When you plant your tomatoes make sure that you plant them deep into the soil, so that the majority of the stem is buried. If you look closely on the stem you will find a series of tiny hairs. These little hairs will turn into more roots if buried and given the opportunity, and this bodes well for the plant as a healthy rooting system makes for a stronger plant.
Tomatoes like it warm so wait to plant them once the danger of frost has passed. Once it is safe to plant them make sure you water them regularly, especially when the tomatoes are on the plant. If you allow the soil to dry out and then dump water on it the plant might absorb the water too quickly, and as a result the tomatoes will crack. Tomato plants thrive when the soil is kept evenly moist and when they are in a warm location that receives 6-8 hours of sun a day.
Your tomatoes will need to be fertilized throughout the season in order to keep them healthy and happy. When the plants are still small it is fine to use a fertilizer with a little bit of nitrogen in it in order to give the greens a boost and help it grow. However, once the plant is tall and is getting close to producing fruit you will want to use less nitrogen and instead focus on a fertilizer that is high in phosphorous and potassium (the second and third numbers on the fertilizer bag). Phosphorous is always important to the plant no matter what stage of life it is in, because phosphorous is what encourages healthy root growth. Potassium is also a key macronutrient as it strengthens the plants overall health, allowing it to become more resistant to diseases and produce higher yields of fruit.
Regardless of whether you grow tomatoes in the ground or in containers you will reach a point where your plant grows large enough that they need to be supported. This can be achieved by purchasing a tomato cage to put them in or by tying them up to a stake or support beam.
You will also need to protect your tomato plants from pests throughout the season, such as tomato hornworms, aphids, and beet armyworms. A reliable insecticide to spray the leaves with is Sevin (Carbaryl), or anything that uses Pyrethrin as its active ingredient. Most insecticides can be purchased in the form of liquid concentrate, ready-to-use sprays, or in granular form, and can be applied once a week or as needed. As always, use any sprays according to the directions on the label for successful results.
There are a wide variety of different tomatoes on the market, so do your research to decide which variety will do best for your growing situation. There are many varieties that will do better in containers compared to others, such as the Husky Cherry Red or some of the many bush varieties that don't grow quite as large. With the wide selection of different tomatoes out there it shouldn't be hard to find the one that will grow best for you, and you will soon be on your way to having a bountiful harvest of tomatoes this summer.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more stories and pictures! We sell tomato plants at our produce stand in the spring and fresh picked tomatoes during the summer. You can find our farm stand at 15008 Hanover Pike in Upperco, MD! https://www.facebook.com/Allview-Acres-102227604734626/?modal=admin_todo_tour
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