Growing Container Tomatoes
Growing Container Tomatoes, There are several benefits to growing container tomatoes. This method is perfect for those who are short on space for an actual outdoor garden, but who still want the ability to grow their own tomatoes to guarantee freshness. When growing container tomatoes, pots can be placed anywhere that receives enough light for the plant to sustain its growth. That can include patios, yards and even window sills. A great benefit to growing container tomatoes is their ease of transport. Tomatoes love sunlight and want at least 6 hours each day. If you are growing container tomatoes you can easily move them from one end of the house to another to allow sufficient access to sunlight over the course of a day. And for all those that hate weeding, another benefit to growing container tomatoes is it eliminates the need to do so as an outdoor garden would mandate.
Tips for Growing Container Tomatoes
Most varieties of tomatoes can be successfully grown in containers but, as with all things, some do better then others. When choosing which tomato varieties you should use when growing container tomatoes, choose ones that will not get too large. When growing container tomatoes, a good rule of thumb is do pick ones that will get to be about 1 to 2 ft maximum. You should know that growing tomatoes in pots will cause them to ripen all at once. Choosing the smaller tomato varieties means that you are not stuck with too more tomatoes than you really need. To ensure your success in the endeavor of growing container tomatoes it is also better to choose a tomato plant variety that has a lower water demand. Tomato plants need about one inch of water a week to keep their soil moist. But, because they are being grown in a pot, keeping the soil moist can be challenging. The key to keeping the soil moist it to pick the right kind of pot for your tomato plant. A standard terra cotta pot that provides enough room for the roots to grow is perfect for your plant. Good drainage is important when growing container tomatoes so make sure that the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. You can also add a layer of rock at the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage and ward off root rot. To keep the soil in the pot moist you should also use the right kind of soil. Container tomatoes do well in a soil-less mix of sphagnum peat, perlite and vermiculite. You should also add a scoop of organic fertilizer to the soil mixture as well to the center of the pot and mix it in well. Tomato plants tend to be heavy feeders so you should add a fertilizer that is slow acting. On top of that, you can add fertilizer about every two to four weeks.
It is wonderful to be able to grow your own tomatoes and growing container tomatoes allows everyone that pleasure. You can enjoy fresh organic tomatoes that taste so much better then what you can get from the store. By growing container tomatoes, apartment dwellers and those who are limited on space can enjoy the same benefits as those with access to a full outdoor garden.