Patio tomatoes (which are usually short, bushy, determinate varieties) do not strictly need to be caged. However, using a small cage is highly recommended. It keeps the heavy branches from sprawling onto the ground, prevents soil rot on your fruit, and improves air circulation to avoid diseases.
Regardless of what you might read or see in nursery promotions, planting tomatoes in October or November is not a fruitful experience, literally. The night temperatures are too low for the flowers to set fruit. Tomatoes planted in August or early September will grow quickly in the warm soil, warm nights and long days.
For acid reflux, the best tomatoes are low-acid, high-sugar varieties, which taste sweeter and are much easier on your stomach. Non-red heirloom tomatoes (yellow, orange, and white) are naturally lower in acid.
In contrast, indeterminate tomatoes are large plants that grow more like a vine. Optional: Herbs, lettuce or flowers. Planting tomatoes in 5-gallon buckets is a great option if you don't have much garden space. Begin by making at least a dozen holes in the bottom of the bucket so that water can drain easily.
Yes, patio tomatoes typically need a cage or some form of support. While they are bred to be compact, the weight of the ripening fruit combined with heavy wind or rain will cause the stems to bend and sprawl on the ground, making the fruit susceptible to pests and rot.
For most true "patio" or dwarf tomato varieties, the best container is a 5-gallon pot (or 12 to 14 inches in diameter). This size offers enough soil volume to support the plant's roots without drying out too quickly, while remaining easy to move around your space.
If you don’t stake tomatoes, the plants will become sprawling, unmanageable mounds of foliage. The fruit will likely rest on the soil, increasing the risk of rot, diseases, and pest damage from bugs like earwigs. While the plant may still yield, harvest is harder, and branches may snap under the weight of the fruit.
Sprinkling baking soda around tomato plants is a common, often debated, gardening hack used to increase the sweetness of the fruit and reduce fungal disease. It works by slightly lowering soil acidity (raising pH) and, when used in sprays, creating an alkaline surface that hinders fungi like powdery mildew.
VIDEO: 6 Container Gardening MISTAKES | Growing Joy with Maria
Never plant fennel, brassicas (like cabbage, broccoli, and kale), potatoes, or corn near tomatoes. These plants can stunt tomato growth, compete aggressively for nutrients, or spread devastating diseases and pests.
Bananas are widely considered the best fruit for managing acid reflux. Because they are naturally alkaline, they help neutralize strong stomach acid. Their soft texture and high pectin content also help coat the esophagus, providing quick and soothing heartburn relief.
Incorporate Baking Soda
Baking soda neutralizes acid chemically. Use it sparingly: Add a pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) to the sauce and stir well. The sauce will bubble as the acid reacts; taste and add more if needed, but avoid overuse to prevent a soapy flavor.
Top Picks
TOMATO OF THE YEAR 2026 🍅 Meet Sart Roloise, Tomatomania's newest standout and a true showstopper. This creamy yellow beefsteak is brushed with dramatic indigo shoulders and stripes, a stained-glass beauty that turns heads before it ever reaches the plate.
As long as it gets above 60 during the day, they'll continue to mature and ripen. Tomatoes will continue to ripen until it gets too cold. Too cold = 40 degrees or less. Watch the forecast, and when night-time temps get into the mid 40's, pick ALL the tomatoes left on the vine.
Anything That's Wet or Damp. You probably know where we're going with this one. "Anything wet or damp is not great to store in a plastic bin with a lid, as this will trap moisture and create mold," Hord says. Let damp or wet items dry out before storing them, or opt for a breathable storage bin material.
Getting the watering and drainage right is key to thriving indoor plants. Overwatering is the most common mistake and probably the easiest way to kill a plant. The roots sit in excess water and gradually rot, taking away the plants ability to absorb nutrients and moisture.
Miracle-Gro Garden Soil should not be used in containers because it is too heavy, dense, and lacks the proper aeration required for potted plants. When used in a pot, it compacts and traps excessive moisture, leading to poor drainage and root rot.
To grow bigger tomatoes, maximize the fruit's size by pruning excess branches, restricting the plant to just one or two main stems, and plucking off early blossoms. This diverts the plant's energy into sizing up the remaining tomatoes rather than spreading resources across too many fruits.
Hydrogen peroxide can be highly beneficial for tomato plants if used correctly. It is a cheap, effective, and readily available remedy used to control fungal diseases, manage pests, and aerate waterlogged soil. However, because it is a strong oxidizer, using too much can damage your plants.
To protect your tomato plants, use Neem oil for common pests like aphids and whiteflies, or Btcap B t𝑩𝒕 (Bacillus thuringiensis) specifically for caterpillars and tomato hornworms. For a quick DIY option, mix 1 teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap and 1 cup of vegetable oil per gallon of water.
If you do not prune your tomatoes, your plants will become bushy jungles. While you will get a larger quantity of fruit, the individual tomatoes will be smaller, and the plant's dense foliage will be more prone to disease due to reduced airflow.
The cheapest way to stake tomatoes is using salvaged materials or cheap bulk supplies. The best budget methods include: T-posts with twine (the Florida Weave), repurposed wood, or single stakes tied with old cloth. Always install supports at planting to avoid root damage.
Gardeners bury an egg in the planting hole because it acts as an organic, slow-release fertilizer. As the egg decomposes, it releases essential nutrients like calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus directly to the tomato roots, which helps build stronger stems and prevents blossom end rot.