The Grass Doctor

Any tips for growing tomatoes in a container?

First off, I live in Southern CA so it's going to be getting warm really soon, and unbearably hot in about two months, lol. I'm going to be putting my plant (possibly two) on my 2nd story landing that receives at least 8hrs of light a day. I've been researching a lot online and I've come up with a few questions that any advice would be greatly appreciated. -I'm going to use a quality soil with fertilizer included so I shouldn't have to add any until 3 months (reccomended on the package), right? -When it does come time to add fertilizer, is it best to go with a triple 15, osmocote, or specific veggie/tomato food? -How do I apply the fertilizer, sprinkle on the top soil, right? -How often should I add fertilizer, I've been reading once every 2 weeks. Is that about right, or more often? -When should I be adding supplements (like calcium, I'll probably use eggshells/epsom salt, or fish emulsion, or lime juice) if at all or how often? I'd like to prevent that bottom rot of the fruit that can happen. -Silly question, when I've received all the tomatoes the plant will fruit, what then?! I want to get a determinant (Roma) and possibly an indeterminant (Sweet 100). Should I keep fertilizing as usual? -Once summer starts to end, the plants can stay outside right? Do I need to trim it, or anything else? -If all goes well and the plant survives the winter, all I need to do is fertilize during the spring and I should theoretically get another crop, yes? Or is it a one time deal with these plants, and I'll have to buy new ones next year? They may sound silly but this is my first time growing a vegetable and I'd really like them to thrive and get a good harvest. I didn't mention it, but I'll be getting as big a container as I can- I was able to pick that up at least from all the articles and videos. Thank you so much! Anything else you think may be helpful would also be greatly appreciated!! Thanks! I guess once the determinant dies and I toss the plant out, is the soil reusable (as long as I noticed no disease). All I need is to fertilize, add supplements and it's good for next year? lol, I'm a dance and science teacher so I tend to overthink things just a bit...

Public Comments

1. You need to plant your tomatoes in a container the size of a bucket basically, not to big and not to small, one for each plant. Use good quality compost. Make sure they cannot get blown over if its windy, put a brick on top of rim of the container if in doubt. Buy proper tomato feed and feed the plants when the 2nd truss (flowers) have set and started to form tiny green tomatoes. There is no set time for this, depends on your plants when the 2nd truss sets. Feed weekly usually at the rate stated on the bottle. Most tomato feeds are liquids that you add to the watering can and water the container not the foliage. You also need to water the plants daily, really soak them well that is very important. I never add any other supplements and have been growing tomatoes in the UK and Ireland for years quite successfully and we hardly get any sunshine to speak of. This year they will be in my new greenhouse. Some tomato plants need staking to support them. Some need the side shoots pinching out some don't. Read the labels. Once the 4th truss has set you can pinch the top out so the plant puts all its energy into fruit production. Pick the tomatoes as they become ripe. Once the plants have flowered and the tomatoes are all set and turning red the plant starts to die. Stop feeding it when all the tomatoes are red. Then throw the plant out. It won't flower again. You have to buy or grow new tomato plants each year. I have just sown seeds to grow my own tomato plants, much cheaper. My advice is to either buy a book on growing your own veg or find a good website, I'm sure there are loads I found this one http://www.growingyourownveg.com/tomatoes.php
2. The first question is how big of a container are you going to plant it in? I have tried 5 gallon buckets in the past and they are too small. To really have any kind of success you would need about a 10 gallon pot or bucket. What happens when the bucket is too small is that you have to water a couple of times a day and the plant will be too rootbound too produce much if any fruit. As far as fertilizing goes, tomatoes are easy! Any type of fertilizer you want to use will be fine. Just follow the directions on the package of whatever you buy. If you don't get below 32 degrees in the winter, they will keep producing fruit if they are indeterminate plants although it will probably slow down some throughout the winter. You don't need any supplements unless your potting soil was deficient in something to start with. Tomatoes are very hardy... you are over thinking this! Enjoy the tomatoes!