Thanks for the info on the BER. First year container gardening so this is a whole new experience for me. I made my mix myself, Peat Moss (1/2 bag), garden lime (3 handfuls), perlite (1 bag), composted cow manure (1/2 bag) and 10-10-10 (12oz cup) and 2 cups coffee grounds mixed up well in wheelbarrow. Buckets/Containers 5 gallon with 1 1/2" to 2" rocks in the bottom and holes in the bottom of the buckets for excess to drain.

One aspect to consider when using a plastic container is how long it will last in the sun. Many plastic tubs break down rather quickly if left in direct sunlight. I found this out after buying 16 gallon totes for $6 at Home Depot a few years ago. I thought I had it made, as this was much cheaper than the black pots of similar size out in the garden center. Well, two years later and the 16 gallon Rubbermaid totes were cracked all around the top and I could not move them without them falling apart. Two seasons and they were trash. I have since found a cheaper source for real nursery pots of substantial size that can withstand the sun. Any plastic pot will work if large enough, but remember that you will have to send it to the landfill once it fails to function. The only way to know is to try. Good luck.

Ted - The really sad part ted is that I already knew all that from the past and still typed "she" so like I said it was the sudden exposure to the sun that got me. :) safaribabe - this is a debate/discussion we have here often and you'll find many previous discussions on the issue here via the search if you want to read them. But the bottom line is that you aren't going to get a definitive answer. The opinions are far too firm on both sides of the issue. So ultimately it is up to you. Like hoosier said above, a dwarf variety? Sure. Even I have done that. A determinate? Probably with extra work and care. I've tried it but generally found it a waste of time. An indeterminate? Some do in 5 gallons and they agree that it takes extra work and some agree the results are limited to varying degrees when compared to the same plant in a larger container. For me, I've proven to myself that it is a total waste of time and energy to use anything less than 10 gallon containers and I grow lots of tomato plants in 10 gallon SWC's. But then I am into maximum production, maximum plant health, and non-stressful gardening, not extra work in order to sample a few of many different kinds so my focus is very different from yours. Never heard of anyone successfully "growing 2 to a 5 gallon bag" except as Hoosier said, when using an auto-feed, semi-hydroponic set up. Sure, set up auto timers, fertilizer injectors, and use hydro systems and fertilizer formulas and you can grow a plant in a 2 inch cube of rock wool. But that isn't what you are proposing. But they are your plants and your set up to experiment with so give it a go and see if it works to your satisfaction. I wish you luck. Dave

funkyhat I do not know much about bugs, but read some about aphids - IIRC they do not lay eggs in soil. I do not have lots of info, but here are some of my notes: ..." Aphid sexuality is quite complex, including both asexual reproduction concluding with live birth and sexual reproduction concluding with egg laying. In spring, when hatching occurs, all emerging aphids are female and reproduce asexually, essentially giving birth to three or more clones of themselves every day. As the end of summer approaches, the reproductive strategy of aphids in climates with cold winters shifts and both males and females are produced. After mating, the sexually reproductive females deposit eggs in the protective crevices of plants; safe from harsh winter weather, these eggs hatch the following spring and the cycle begins anew... ...Each of the many aphid species has its own life cycle, but there are some features uniting nearly all of them. One feature most species share is that they are incredibly prolific. Wingless adult female aphids can produce 50 to 100 offspring. A newly born aphid becomes a reproducing adult within about a week and then can produce up to 5 offspring per day for up to 30 days. An even more amazing feature of life cycles of most aphid species is that reproduction during at least part of its life cycle can be accomplished without the help of male aphids! Babies have no fathers.Young are born from females without the benefit of sexual reproduction, in a process known technically as parthenogenesis. When mother aphids reproduce parthenogenetically, instead of laying eggs they give birth directly to smaller editions of themselves"... If you are sure there are eggs in the soil, perhaps they are different pest.