Plump, juicy, and bursting with garden-fresh flavor, harvesting perfectly ripe tomatoes directly off the vine is a rewarding experience for any gardener.
Discover seven top tips for growing tomatoes in pots — from what size container to use to how to properly care for your potted plants, and more.
Determinate tomato plant growing in a pot
While you can grow all types of tomatoes in containers, because of their small size. Whereas indeterminate varieties grow quite large, reaching heights of 6 to 20 feet, and will continue growing until they are killed off by frost.
Cherry tomatoes growing in pots
When it comes to heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes, the larger the container, the better. Large containers allow for more root space, provide stability, and increase fruit production.
Tomato plant growing in a pot with tomato cage
All tomato plants, both indeterminate and determinate, benefit from staking to help them grow upright and support their heavy fruit.
Small tomato plants in a container.
Tomatoes thrive in the long, hot days of summer when outdoor temperatures range from
Watering tomato plants growing in containers
If you are unsure about when to water, use a moisture meter, which is available to purchase at most gardening centers. Moisture meters are inserted deep into the soil to measure the moisture level and help to prevent under or overwatering.
A person holding fertilizer for garden plants
Another key component to caring for your tomato plants like a pro is proper fertilization.
Feeding your plant at the right time is crucial! Giving your plants food too early can damage them, so it's best to wait until they are about 4 inches tall.
Person pointing out a sucker on a tomato plant
Removing suckers doesn't impact their fruit production, as this type of is constantly growing and producing new fruit.
When left to grow, suckers will produce flowers and eventually fruit.
- . For larger yields and more tomatoes, prune the suckers below the first flower cluster, and leave the others alone.
What are suckers? Suckers are the new growth that appears in the joints of the plant, where a leaf meets the main stem.
Expand your vegetable garden by growing tomato plants in pots! There are several benefits to growing tomatoes in pots, including portability, accessibility, and improved management of pests and diseases. Remember to look for determinate varieties of tomatoes over indeterminate, select a large-sized container, and install a stake or cage at planting time.
After planting, provide your potted plants with plenty of direct sunlight, maintain a regular watering schedule, and apply an organic fertilizer every three to four weeks throughout the growing season. Happy growing!
