The Secret of Growing Tomatoes in Pots

Before you head out to the nearest garden shop and buy your supplies, you must at least know the basic types of tomatoes so you'll have a good idea which is more suitable to grow in your place.

Tomatoes are classified into two groups: indeterminate and determinate.

Indeterminate is the type of tomato plant that grows as much as 12 feet tall and needs a sturdy support, like a tomato cage as it grows. They bear fruits all through out the season.

Determinate is the bushy type, growing about 4 feet in height. Some varieties are only 2 feet high. It yields crops all at once once and is the perfect variety to grow in containers.

Space. Space requirement depends on the variety of tomato you're planning to grow. For the standard types, large pots are recommended because tomato roots expand and take up a lot of space. Containers with good drainage holes are mandatory. Because of the size of the container, most tomato plants are not suitable for windowsill gardening. However, some dwarf variations like the cherry tomato are small enough to fit in the extra space near your window.

Soil. Tomato plants are not very picky when it comes to the soil. Any good standard garden mix will do as long as they have all the other things that they need.

Sun. Tomatoes like lots of light and they require no less than 8 hours of daily sun. They are best grown outdoors. You can grow them indoors, too but make sure that they placed in a very sunny location.

Temperature. Tomatoes do not enjoy cold weather. So after a full sun during the day, always remember to keep your tomato pots inside to protect them from the evening draft, especially during winter.

Water. Tomatoes love water. Because they are mostly under the sun during the day, their soil dries up quickly. So be prepared to water daily, especially during summer. They want their soil moist, otherwise their roots cannot adsorb water and nutrients when the soil is dry. Make sure that the water is distributed evenly throughout the soil. But be careful not to over-water either as this can lead to worse problems.

Fertilizer. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, meaning they take up a lot of nutrients. Generally, they need fertilizers the most during the growing stage and when they ready to bear fruits. Go for organic fertilizers to ensure the quality of their taste. During the growing period, feed them with slow-release fertilizers so that they can get a steady supply of nutrients they need to grow. You can also use liquid fertilizer and spray on their leaves for a quick boost. Compost and mulch are good, too as they help to retain the moisture much longer. Once they've grown, feed them with fertilizers that are rich in Phosphorus and Potassium that are key to blooming and bearing fruit.

The easiest would be to buy a young tomato plant from a nursery, as the process of growing the tomato is already done for you. All you need to do is transplant it in a bigger container, care for it and happily harvest your fresh and ripe tomatoes at the end of the growing season.

But the nursery may offer limited varieties of tomatoes to choose from. If you want to grow a specific type of tomato, your best bet is to grow them from the seeds.

Growing tomato seeds doesn't require a special type of technique.

• Sow seeds in a propagator, if you have one or in any small containers such as peat pots, plastic cups, egg cartoon, etc. 1/8 to 1/2 inch deep is ideal. Check the package for the specific requirement for the type of tomato seeds you have.


• It is recommended to use sterile soil mix to make sure that the soil is not contaminated with weed seeds.


• Make sure that the soil is moist but not overly wet as molds might develop.


• Cover them with a plastic wrap, or a clear lid to keep the moisture in. You can also place the container on a saucer of water to make sure that the soil won't dry out.


• Keep them warm and exposed to plenty of light.


• Take off the cover once you see the first true leaves have grown.

If you grew seedlings from the seeds, you need to transplant from the propagator (or whatever small pot you used) to something slightly larger. You know it's time to transplant when the seedlings have sprouted at least four true leaves. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Fill the container with a good potting soil. You may mix compost with the soil to give seedling some organic food to feed on.


• Carefully remove the seedling from its container, paying extra care not to damage the roots.


• Plant it in its new pot and put in more soil so that the leaves are just above the soil level.


• Remember that tomatoes like the sun and the water so make sure to give them enough.

After you've transplanted your tomato to its final pot, all you need to do is to give it what it needs: sun, water, fertilizer. And that's it. You're sure to be rewarded with plump, juicy and fresh tomatoes. Did I tell you growing tomatoes pots is surprisingly easy?