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Learn How To Grow Tomatoes In Containers
by Kay Dennan
Growing container tomatoes allows for the flexibility of moving the containers around to ensure that the plants get at least 6 hours sun each day if this is a problem in your particular area or plant growing area. There are a number of benefits to growing tomatoes in pots and if done properly it is no less successful that if they were grown in the ground.
If tomatoes are not grown in containers they are more than likely grown in the ground, but for some situations that is not possible.
When tomatoes are gown in containers they can be placed near the kitchen when they get to the picking stage and this can be a benefit as opposed to a garden patch where a short walk would be needed to harvest the fruit.
Benefits of growing tomatoes in containers.
A benefit of growing tomatoes in pot is the fact that they require much less strenuous effort during the
maintenance process. Weeding and maintaining the plants is easier because there is little bending over.
It seems that most varieties of tomatoes will grow in pots, but those that are chosen are often the smaller varieties. The smaller plants, between 1 to 2 feet are usually of the determinate variety. Growing tomatoes in pots does mean that they will ripen all at once and to counteract this it would be a good idea to plant about 4 weeks apart so that you have a longer harvesting season. A longer harvesting season can be obtained by selecting different varieties that will ripen earlier or later, so check this out when you are choosing plants to suit your climatic conditions.
As the soil in containers does tend to dry quicker than it does in the ground it can be useful to choose varieties that do not require as much water. To get the best crop from the tomato plant regular, consistent watering is best and at about 1 inch of water per week. This will keep the soil moist.
Requirements for growing tomatoes in pots.
The first thing to do is make sure you choose a pot that is at least 12 inches across at the top. Some people have success with growing tomatoes in terracotta pots and in the cooler climates that works well, but I have found in the more tropical environments that the terracotta pots get hot and dry the soil out too quickly. So now that I live in a more tropical climate I now grow my container tomatoes in plastic pots.
Good drainage is essential, so make sure there are several holes about ½ inch wide in the bottom of the pot and it is best to cover these with a fine mesh so that the soil does not wash out as you water the plants. Once you have placed the fine mesh (either plastic or wire) over the holes, place some course gravel or rocks on the bottom of the pot before adding the soil. This will provide good drainage and also prevent root rot.
Use a top quality soil mix to plant the tomatoes in and check the soil reasonably regularly to make sure that the required soil pH levels are right for growing tomatoes. They need to be between pH 5.5 and 8. By taking note of these tips and suggestions about growing container tomatoes you will be picking large, succulent, sweet tomatoes in just a few months.
©
Kay Dennan
Growing tomatoes requires knowledge on planting correctly, pests, blight control, watering and other issues so visit our website at for more valuable information.
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