Grow Tomatoes in Your Small Space

When asked what my favourite plant for Summer is, the Tomato wins hands down. They're not difficult to grow and selecting the right variety for your space and conditions will ensure repeat harvests all through the growing season. Here is a list of some of the things I have found to be the most important aspects of growing Tomatoes in grow bags and containers.

🍅 When to plant/sow?

Check out my Blog called Know Your Small Space Garden Grow Zone to understand the conditions in your growing space. Do check which zone you are in and when the best time is to plant in your area. Plant your tomatoes according to your growing zone - 

Warm: All year (in frost-free zones)

Temperate: August – November

Cool: September – November.  Make sure the last frost has passed before you plant.

🍅🍅 Choose The Right Container For Growing Tomatoes

You can plant in a smaller pot of minimum 18 Litres if you choose a determinate tomato variety, which stops growing at a certain height. These are the patio or dwarf varieties of which there are many types, Determinate tomatoes form smaller, bushier plants than indeterminate varieties, so need less soil and less staking to support their growth. Clay pots are not recommended as the soil will dry out too quickly for thirsty tomatoes plants.

Larger Indeterminate varieties of  Tomatos will need larger grow bags or container of a minimum of 40 Litres. Allow room for the supports such rangey, large plants will need as they mature and set fruit.

Some tomato growers suggest planting herbs or other plants in the same container. I would recommend refraining from adding additional plants to the container unless it is a large  container with alot of space around the centrally planted Tomato. You do not want other plants competing with the tomato plant for water or nutrients. Different tomato varieties require different spacing, so consult the seed packet or tag on your tomato plant for information.

The container should have good drainage.

I recommend our Root Pouch grow bags for Tomatoes as they tick so many boxes for the health of fruiting plants.

Find our more about Root Pouch bags HERE

🍅🍅🍅 Support

Make sure that you place a tomato climbing frame or several stakes in the pot at planting. A common mistake is to put the stakes in after the plant has begun to grow, which can risk damaging the roots. As the tomato grows, tie it carefully to the stakes or frame. Use garden twine or pieces of pantyhose, but take care not to tie them so tightly that you damage the stems.

🍅🍅🍅🍅 Sunlight & Heat Requirements

Tomato plants need high-light intensity and not high-heat intensity. When planting tomato plants, the goal is to maximise light while minimising any harmful effects of heat. The ideal amount of sunlight for tomato plants changes depending on the stage of growth.

The great benefit of container growing is that you can move your plants to find the most beneficial direct sunlight to their growth!

6 hours of sun is a minimum requirement, 7-8 hours is optimal. At fruiting stage the tomatoes are susceptible to being scalded by the sun so it's important not to have them constantly exposed. This can be avoided by not pruning the leaves too heavily so that they shade the fruit whilst they still receive sunlight. Whilst there's no such thing as too much sun, provided the plant receives sufficient water and is in a stable ecosystem, but when things are out of balance or when the flowers and fruit are not protected, too much sun can be detrimental. It can however, get TOO hot for tomatoes (sunlight and heat are two different but related things) If it's too hot, the plant will be stressed so monitor the location throughout the growing season.

🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅 Plant Them Deeply 

When planting a tomato seedling, remove some of the lower leaves and dig a hole in your potting mix or soil deep enough so that most of the plant is buried in the hole. New roots will be produced along the buried portion of stem which will develop a strong root system and a sturdy plant.

🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅Tomatoes Are Heavy Feeders

When they are planted in containers they require feeding about every two weeks, the primary nutrients they require are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They like regular feedings of small amounts of fertiliser rather than infrequent, large doses. Check that your potting mix has these essential nutrients. If not you can feed them with a tomato-specific fertiliser. 

🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅Water Consistently 

The soil's moisture content is always a challenge with container gardens. Tomatoes have particular water requirements - basically they need consistent watering. If a tomato plant receives too little water, the plant will wilt and weaken, and the tomatoes could develop blossom end rot. Blossom-end rot is caused by insufficient calcium supply. However, the most common cause is from irregular watering during the critical growing period of the young fruit. Even when calcium levels in the soil are sufficient, a plant receiving insufficient or irregular water will have difficulty absorbing and delivering calcium to the fruit.  If your plants are receiving inconsistent watering, tomato fruits can crack or split.

I recommend the use of Waterpot Ollas to keep tomatoes hydrated and provide them with ready access to water when they need it. One vessel planted in the container hosing your tomato will ensure consistent delivery to the roots even on the hottest, driest days. No guesswork involved whatsoever. Find out more about Waterpot Ollas HERE

 Enjoy the upcoming growing season and particularly, try a variety of different tomato types  - Summer wouldn't be Summer without them!

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