Container tomatoe Tips

Tips For Growing Tomatoes In Containers

By Alison Stevens

Successfully growing tomatoes is not limited to homeowners who are fortunate enough to own a large plot of ground. You, too, can enjoy full-flavored homegrown tomatoes if you live in an apartment or townhouse, even in the heart of the city. Growing tomatoes in containers is an easy way to employ your green fingers and enjoy fresh veggies no matter where you live.
However, before you dash to the nursery to buy pots and seedlings, there are a couple of things you should know about how to successfully grow tomatoes in containers.Selecting Containers

The first consideration when you are choosing the pots for your container garden is size. While some crops, like onions and herbs will grow well in more shallow containers, most plants including tomatoes will do best in at least a five gallon pot that will provide adequate space for
the root system. However, you are not limited to the traditional flower pots for your container tomato garden. Check out the variety of buckets, pails and window boxes. Look at recycling containers that you have around the home including wooden packing cases, large cooking pots, half wine barrels and more. The main factors to keep in mind when choosing your container are to choose a substance that is nontoxic, and will provide adequate drainage for your plants. If you are using a solid based pot you will need to add drainage holes at the bottom. If you choose a porous material like timber you will be able to line the timber with plastic to make it waterproof but the timber will probably rot anyway. However, recycled timber containers can be useful for growing tomatoes for one season.

If you are using pots that have been used previously for other plants it is important to scrub them out well before use. This is necessary to remove any soil-born diseases that might be present.

Choosing your Location

Sunlight is important for the growth of all plants, and this includes your container-grown tomatoes as well. Most crops will require at least five hours of direct sunlight a day, so make sure your growing area can accommodate this need. Also try to choose a spot that is sheltered from the wind, since strong gusts can damage new plants and dry out the soil quickly. Once you have selected the area for your tomato containers it is time to start preparing the pots.

Preparing Potting Mix

Good soil and regular feedings are essential for container-grown tomatoes, since they will not be able to get nutrients from the ground. Peat-based potting mixes are generally a good choice for this style of gardening and you can find an excellent variety of commercial products available for this purpose at your local nursery or garden center.

Seeds Or Seedlings?

For growing tomatoes in containers it is usually easier to start with seedlings. Place the pots in the desired location and plant the seedlings directly into pots. Water well. Once your plants begin to grow add a slow-release fertilizer as directed to keep your plants thriving and your harvest coming. Regular watering is also important, since the soil in containers tends to dry out much more quickly than garden beds in the ground. Check your pots daily and water as required.

As your tomato plants grow they will require staking to prevent them falling over. Once the plants begin setting fruit they will become quite heavy and the stems will require support.

Homeowners with large gardens are not the only people who can enjoy home-grown, vine-ripened tomatoes all summer long. By growing tomatoes in containers you can enjoy this small gardening hobby no matter where you live.

Alison Stevens is an online author and maintains the Grow Great Tomatoes website to assist anyone who wants to get started growing tomatoes and other vegetables. Find out how
to grow organic tomatoes

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Starting A Vegetable Garden

Starting A Vegetable Garden

By Eudora DeWynter

Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes, this is what you get by starting a vegetable garden. When you can't find fresh vegetables locally, try growing your own, starting small and planting what you like to eat is the first step. Make sure that all your plants need the same growing requirements and not needing more time and attention that you can give them. If you are starting small, don't start with a large variety, more of the same will be best if you won't always have the same amount of time to devote on your garden.

Planting on a cool day (if you can) as opposed to a hot sultry one will cause less stress on you and your plants. Water your plants in the pots they came in the day before you plan to plant them and never leave them in the pots in the sun, they will Dry Out. Loosen the roots before planting, this gives them room to spread out and grow when transplanted into the ground. Plant the plant at the same depth as the pot it came out of, not to high or the roots will show and dry out and burn and not to deep or the stem will rot.

Once you have them in the ground cover with soil but don't press to hard when covering them, watering will help them to settle into the soil. Remember to water your garden as soon as you have finished planting and be sure to give it a least one inch of water a week. On hot dry ummer days some afternoon wilting is normal but you will need to water more often. If your plants are wilting in the evening chance are they are stressed from the heat or are not getting enough water and or not enough nutrients, if it s been extremely hot, you will need to water more
often.

If your vegetable garden is small plant vegetables that will give you a longer harvest, such as tomatoes, lettuce and beans. Keep in mind that tomatoes will need to be staked or caged but they can be pruned (cut back) allowing for air to circulate. Other appetite appealing vegetables that grow well are bell peppers, cucumbers, radishes herbs and carrots. In the long run growing, harvesting and eating your own home grown vegetables at mealtime in the summer will be the best part of the summer season.

Eudora DeWynter offers tips on Starting a Vegetable Garden on her blog at http://www.gardentoolguru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eudora_DeWynter

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