GROWING tomatoes IN CONTAINERS

If you love the taste of fresh tomatoes but think you don’t have space to grow them, you will be delighted to know that there are tomato varieties for just about any space, with mature heights ranging from 6 inches to 6 feet tall and above. In fact, All tomatoes may be grown in containers of the appropriate size, and some varieties may even be grown in hanging baskets. Some advantages of growing tomatoes in containers are better control of soil type, watering and drainage. It is also easier to monitor for possible disease and insect infestations.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Tomatoes love sun. Provide a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Plastic containers or glazed pottery retain moisture best - this can be an advantage as plants mature and temperatures rise. Use good quality, well-draining potting soil. Some gardeners add compost, but never use more than 1 part compost to 3 parts potting soil.

It helps to plant your tomato vine deeper (up to half its height) than the root crown. This allows more root development and vigorous growth. Pinch off any leaves from the portion to be buried.

When planting, mix an organic vegetable fertilizer into the soil.

Enhance growth and fruit production with an organic seaweed extract. Seaweed extract products may be applied as a drench or a foliar spray early in the day and repeated every two weeks throughout the growing season.

Check plants daily as they mature. Soil should be evenly moist but not soggy. Smaller pots will need to be watered more frequently. When watering, thoroughly water the entire root zone. Make sure the container drains well and does not sit in water. It is best to water in the morning so plant roots can take best advantage of the moisture and soil temperatures are not cooled by watering during the peak growing time of day.

TOMATO TERMS

Indeterminate varieties keep growing and producing fruit over a very long season. They need to be staked or grown in cages. They can be grown in the ground or in containers with a diameter of 20”-22”.

Determinate varieties tend to produce fruits which ripen all at once and are good choices for canning. Plants are typically smaller and often do not require cages. Grow in containers at least 8"-10" in diameter.

Heirloom varieties are those whose seed strain has been preserved intact (i.e., not hybridized out of existence) for 85 years or more.

See our Tomato Varieties List (updated each April) for individual tomato descriptions.

Swansons Nursery 9701 15th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117 (206) 782-2543 www.SwansonsNursery.com