We know that many of you don't have the privilege of having 10 foot long raised beds full of dense, rich soil in which to plant your tomato seedlings, and must instead garden in containers. There are tons of people who come to buy tomato seedlings from us who ask us about the best varieties to plant in containers - the short answer is... there is no short answer.
Container vegetable gardening is an art in itself, and it takes much more than plopping a plant into some soil and watering it - that's why we have a whole Container Gardening Class on how to do it. In fact, we've just added a new date for the container class since it's so popular - register here for our July 24th class.
Growing fussy plants such as tomatoes in pots can be tricky business...
We have a detailed explanation of how to plant happy tomatoes in containers on our Growing Tomatoes in Pots page, and we are practicing what we preach up at our new farm on Vine Hill Road.
We are still in the process of getting the garden cleared of trees and terraced for the crops, so we have chosen to plant 65 tomato plants in two areas of the property that we've deemed most deer-proof and gopher proof (knock on wood!). This area was initially staked out to be an outdoor kitchen, we're happy it's still fulfilling it's food-production-destiny!
This area is terraced right above our dog run, and had been slated to hold ornamentals. We decided it would be a better use of space for us to grow heirloom tomatoes right outside our kitchen door - is there anything better?
We've also potted up 5 different types of eggplant and about 7 different types of peppers in the smaller pots between the tomatoes. These plants get a similar soil-amending, though smaller quantities.
Any questions? Email Cynthia at [email protected]. Or take Love Apple Farm's Tomato Masters class or Container Vegetable Gardening Class.
You can find more information all about tomatoes on the World Tomato Society website.
I live in foggy, cold, windy Pacific Grove (but I'd love to live on YOUR farm & raise bees, garden, play with the baby chicks & garden), and I have been successful in container gardening. Tomatoes & basil even! The trick for these hot-weather lovers is black plastic containers (the black plastic actually gets hot to the touch), up against the fence (protects from wind & intensifies heat). I grow from seed & it's successful!
Posted by: Michaelia Morgan | July 08, 2010 at 04:18 PM
When we purchased our tony tomato starters from your booth at the SF Garden Show, I thought the man was crazy when he said they would get to 8 feet tall... Now those plants (in containers) have reached almost 6 feet! WOW!
Posted by: Lacey Malone | July 06, 2010 at 07:55 AM
Thanks for the helpful email today about tomatoes. I think I might not be watering in the correct amount. The information let me know this might be one of my tomato problems. I appreciate the info.
Donna
Posted by: Donna Aceves | July 05, 2010 at 10:29 PM
I live in Montana, and can't find an edible tomato anywhere, even those grown in people's gardens. Having grown up in Michigan and New York, I remember tomatoes having a real "bite" to them, which I looooooved. So I'm growing my own, in an earthbox. The plants are doing well thus far, even have lots of flowers started. But to be honest, I'm doubtful I can re-create the flavors I remember so vividly, since the soil isn't the same. Any suggestions for this novice?
Posted by: Jan Hernandez | June 19, 2010 at 09:38 PM
So do tomatoes grow better outside or in greenhouses? I guess it would depend on where you live? I'm in Ohio
Robert ("Bobby") from How To Build Greenhouse
Posted by: Robert Carlyle | June 15, 2010 at 03:14 PM
My tomatoes seem to do OK in containers but it is always a challenge to keep the watering nice and even. They dry out so quickly and can stay wet too long. Your containers look just a bit bigger than mine, is there an ideal size?
Posted by: Matron | June 06, 2010 at 01:22 AM
Looks beautiful! I'm glad to see some greenery growing on the new farm :D
Posted by: Zach Geske | June 05, 2010 at 03:50 AM