(Be sure to look for the Bonnie Plants® logo when you're at the garden center—that way you'll know you'll be getting strong, vigorous young starter plants!) In general, determinate tomatoes tend to do better in pots, so look for those.
Unlike most vegetables, tomatoes do well when planted deeply. Roots will emerge anywhere along the stem, and the plants will develop healthier root systems. Dig deep holes and add fertilizer or amendments to each hole, if desired.
Tomato plants will grow well in well-drained sites that receive full sun for most of the day. The soil pH should be slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8). Excess nitrogen can result in plants with lush, vigorous foliage but little fruit production.
Use large pots to grow tomatoes. You can use a 5-gallon pot that is 10 to 12 inches deep for a single plant of determinate variety, for an indeterminate type choose a bigger container. The container should be deep, at least, 12 inches is necessary. Caging needs more space so instead of it, support tomatoes by stacking.
Yes, you can use regular potting soil for tomatoes, but it's often better to use a high-quality potting mix specifically formulated for vegetables or tomatoes, as they provide the ideal nutrient balance and drainage for tomato plants.
When planting tomatoes in a raised bed, use a 50-50 blend of garden soil and potting mix, or 100 percent organic Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Mix. When growing tomatoes in pots, choose a container that is at least 18 to 24 inches wide.
You can grow most tomato varieties in pots, but choosing those that have been bred for containers will make it easier for you to manage them. As you consider the options, take note of whether each variety is a determinate or indeterminate type.
Water tomato plants in pots regularly.
Tomatoes are thirsty plants, especially when they begin to gain size. Add in hot or windy conditions, and you may have to water your potted tomatoes twice a day.
Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don't over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.
How deep? Tomatoes are vigorous growers that need lots of room for roots to spread out. Containers should be at least 5 gallons or 12 inches wide and deep, though bigger is better. For maximum production, containers that are 10 gallons or larger are ideal, especially for bigger tomato varieties.
Choosing the best soil
Tomatoes like well-draining, nitrogen-rich soil. This means extra compost, blood-meal or crushed eggshells will make them happy. You want to make sure they have a steady source of calcium carbonate throughout the growing season, which is exactly what eggshells are made up of!
Corn and tomatoes also share vulnerabilities to similar fungal diseases, increasing the likelihood of infections spreading. Lastly, the tall stalks of corn can overshadow tomato plants, blocking the sunlight they need to grow. As a result, it's not recommended to plant these two near each other.
Depending on where you live, you might want to expose your tomatoes to morning sunlight, to afternoon sunlight, or to a combination of the two. Morning sunlight provides high-intensity light without excessive heat, therefore you should consider morning exposure if you live in a region with a hot climate.
It depends on what you want. If you want a balance between the green parts of the plant and the fruit then regular Miracle-Gro is for you. I prefer to have massive amounts and size of the fruit at the expense of the leaves, stalks and stems. You must be careful with the tomato food version.
Tomatoes thrive in loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter content. Adding composted coffee grounds to planting beds is a great way to build healthy soil for tomato planting but won't provide all the required nutrients.
Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, which can show with yellowing leaves and diminished production. Ultra Epsom Salt treatments at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life can help to prevent and remedy magnesium deficiency in your tomato plants.
TOMATO WATERING TIPS
Water in the morning to the keep the soil moist through the heat of the day. Always water at the base of the plant — watering from above invites disease. Check tomatoes growing in pots often since they dry out quickly. Be consistent — fluctuations in water supply lead to cracking and blossom end ...
What is Sunscald? Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight to produce fruit, typically around six to eight hours a day. Too much sun and heat can cause tomatoes to get sunscald. “Sunscald happens when the tomatoes are hit with the direct waves of the sun without any protection, similar to sunburn on us humans,” says Key.
Single Planting: Planting one tomato plant per 5-gallon bucket is typically the simplest method. This ensures plants have enough space and nutrients to grow and are easier to manage. Double Planting: If you wish to increase yield in limited space, consider planting two tomato plants per 5-gallon bucket.
3. Choose the Right Pot. Those seedlings may look small now, but a full-grown tomato plant needs a lot of space for a strong root system. For maximum production, the ideal pot size is 18-inch diameter for determinate tomatoes and 24-inch diameter for indeterminate tomatoes.
Add compost and other sources of organic matter. This is the key to soil quality. Organic matter supplies nutrients, increases moisture holding capacity, improves tilth, encourages diversity of soil life and can reduce plant disease. Compost makes a good mulch for tomatoes.